Works for:
based on ingredients and %- Sun protection
- Anti-aging
- Evens skin tone
Doesn't work for:
based on ingredients and %- Moisturizing
Can it cause trouble?
- Irritation risk: medium
- Comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Key actives
Product Summary
We assess that "EltaMD - UV Shield Broad-Spectrum SPF45" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 21.60$ up to 50.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Using this oil-free sunscreen daily will defend the complexion against signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Source: Walmart
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin tone
What does the product description say?
Using this oil-free sunscreen daily will defend the complexion against signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Source: Walmart
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Sun protection
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
One of the better sunscreens, effective in UV protection-, mineral based, moisturizing, lacking questionable ingredients, oxybenzone-free, (and coral-reef friendly). Read ingredient labels!
Source: Walmart
Does not contain the most effective ingredients for moisturization. The emollients (cetearyl alcohol, isopropyl palmitate) can help soften the upper layer of the skin. Keep in mind though that this product lacks humectants that attract water. You might want to use a separate product with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin in addition (use before this product for the best results).
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection |
Total Promises Fulfilled score: 90/100.
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Potential irritants
Comedogenic ingredients
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Key Actives
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Potential irritants
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
Comedogenic ingredients
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
All ingredients
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Water, Isopropyl palmitate, Unknown, Potassium stearate, Cetearyl alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Oleth-3 phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl glucoside, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Polyisobutene, Polyether-1, Butylene glycol, Peg-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, Tocopheryl acetate, Citric acid, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearate
- Sensitization to oleth-3-phosphate and oleth-5 in a hair wax
- Final report of the cosmetic ingredient review expert panel on the safety assessment of Polyisobutene and Hydrogenated Polyisobutene as used in cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate as Used in Cosmetics