EltaMD Sunscreen: The Complete Guide to the Range (2026)
Every EltaMD sunscreen explained: the five families, what zinc oxide and niacinamide do, the bestsellers, how to choose by skin type and where to buy authentic EltaMD in the US.
EltaMD makes two dozen sunscreens, and most people only know one of them. This guide maps the whole range into five families, explains what each formula is built to do, and shows how to pick one by skin type. Prices are current US retail, and SkinCrew is an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer shipping fresh stock from the US.
What is EltaMD, and what is it known for?
EltaMD is a US sun care and skin care brand found in dermatology offices, best known for UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. Every EltaMD sunscreen is built on transparent zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, then tuned to a skin type: oil-free with 5% niacinamide for sensitive and blemish-prone skin, hyaluronic acid for dry skin, 100% mineral formulas for reactive skin, and 80 minute water resistant formulas for sport. SkinCrew carries 24 EltaMD sunscreens as an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer.
How is the EltaMD sunscreen range organized?
The range looks large, but it sorts into five families. Find your family first, then choose tinted or untinted.
| Family | What it is for | Products | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV Clear | Sensitive, oily and blemish-prone skin. Oil-free with 5% niacinamide. | UV Clear, Tinted, Deep Tint, Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing | $46 to $78 |
| UV Daily | Normal to dry skin. Moisturizing, with hyaluronic acid. | UV Daily, Tinted, Deep Tint, Hydration+, Hydration+ Tinted | $42 to $47 |
| 100% mineral face | Reactive, redness-prone, post-procedure and sun-damaged skin. | UV Skin Recovery, Green Tint, UV Physical, Rosy Tint, UV Restore, Restore Tinted, UV AOX Elements | $43 to $53 |
| Face and body, sport | Swimming, sweating, families and daily body use. | UV Sport, UV Active, UV Pure, UV Sheer, UV Lotion, UV AOX Mist | $32 to $62 |
| Sticks and lips | Reapplication and lips. | UV Stick, UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm | $25 to $40 |
What makes EltaMD sunscreens different?
Zinc oxide in every formula
Zinc oxide is a mineral filter that covers both UVA and UVB. EltaMD uses transparent, micronized zinc oxide so the formulas rub in sheer instead of leaving the white cast older mineral sunscreens were known for. Concentrations run from 9% in UV Clear and UV Daily to 22% in UV Stick.
Skincare inside the sunscreen
EltaMD treats sunscreen as the last skincare step, not a separate chore. UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 carries 5% niacinamide to help reduce the appearance of blemishes, redness and discoloration. UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 has 25% more hyaluronic acid than UV Daily and provided 24-hour hydration in a 12-week EltaMD study of 32 subjects. UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 adds 2% AA Complex, a patented blend of the amino acids taurine, arginine and glycine, with ceramides and centella asiatica.
Mineral and hybrid options
Twelve formulas are 100% mineral, using zinc oxide alone or with titanium dioxide. The rest are hybrids that pair zinc oxide with one chemical filter for a lighter texture. Our mineral vs hybrid guide lists which is which.
Tints for more skin tones
Tinted versions use iron oxides for a sheer tint. UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 and UV Daily Deep Tint SPF 40 were designed and tested on deeper skin tones, and UV Skin Recovery Green Tint SPF 50 uses a sheer green tint to cancel the look of redness.
Which EltaMD sunscreens are the bestsellers?
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The sunscreen EltaMD is known for: a lightweight, oil-free lotion with 5% niacinamide that leaves no white cast on fair to medium skin and layers under makeup. Fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic. It is not water resistant, so it is a daily wear formula, not a beach formula.
Shop nowUV Daily SPF 40
A sheer moisturizing sunscreen with hyaluronic acid that retains moisture and reduces flaking, so the SPF step adds comfort. If you want more hydration and SPF 50, step up to UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50.
Shop nowUV Skin Recovery SPF 50
Powered by 2% AA Complex with a ceramide blend and centella asiatica. In a 12-week EltaMD study of 45 subjects, redness was reduced by 52% and dryness by 72%.
Shop nowUV Physical Tinted SPF 41
An oil-free, lightly tinted mineral sunscreen that is water resistant for 40 minutes, in a 3 oz tube that is nearly twice the usual face size.
Shop nowUV Sport SPF 50
Water resistant for 80 minutes and formulated so it does not drip into the eyes and sting. Spreads on wet or dry skin.
Shop nowFor the full ranking by skin type, read The 10 Best EltaMD Sunscreens.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is right for your skin?
| Skin or need | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitive, oily or blemish-prone | UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | Oil-free, 5% niacinamide |
| Shiny by midday | UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 | SPF 50, oil balancing finish |
| Normal to dry | UV Daily SPF 40 | Hyaluronic acid |
| Dry or dehydrated | UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 | 25% more hyaluronic acid, SPF 50 |
| Reactive or post-procedure | UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 | 100% mineral, AA Complex, ceramides |
| Visible redness | UV Skin Recovery Green Tint SPF 50 | Green tint color correction |
| Sun damage, dark spots | UV Restore SPF 40 | 15% zinc oxide, ginger root, squalane |
| Deeper skin tones | UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 | Designed and tested on deeper tones |
| Sport and swimming | UV Sport SPF 50 | 80 minute water resistance |
| Children and family | UV Pure SPF 47 | EltaMD’s most gentle mineral formula |
| Reapplication | UV Stick SPF 50+ | 22% zinc oxide stick |
Stuck between the three most popular face formulas? See UV Clear vs UV Daily vs UV Physical.
How do you use EltaMD sunscreen correctly?
Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure, as the last step of your morning skincare and before makeup. For the face and neck, most people need about a quarter teaspoon, more than feels natural.
Reapply at least every 2 hours, and after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating with a water resistant formula. The UV Clear and UV Daily facial formulas are not water resistant, so switch to UV Sport SPF 50, UV Active SPF 50+ or UV Stick SPF 50+ for the pool, the beach and sport.
Where should you buy EltaMD?
EltaMD is sold through dermatology offices, medical spas and authorized retailers. On open marketplaces, third-party sellers can list sunscreen that is expired, stored in heat or diverted from its intended channel, and a sunscreen is an over-the-counter drug product whose protection depends on its age and storage.
SkinCrew is an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer. Every sunscreen is sourced direct from EltaMD, shipped from the US with current expiry dating, and backed by our 45-Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Shipping is free on US orders of $99 or more. Shop the full range on the EltaMD brand page.
Not sure which EltaMD formula fits your skin?
Tell our clinical team your skin type, tone and how you spend your day, and they will point you to one formula and the right tint.
Ask the SkinCrew Clinical TeamWhat else do people ask about EltaMD?
What is EltaMD?
EltaMD is a US sun care and skin care brand found in dermatology offices, best known for zinc oxide sunscreens such as UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. Every EltaMD sunscreen is built on transparent zinc oxide for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Is EltaMD a mineral sunscreen?
Every EltaMD sunscreen contains zinc oxide, a mineral filter. Twelve formulas are 100% mineral, including UV Skin Recovery, UV Physical, UV Restore, UV Pure, UV Active and UV Stick. Others, including UV Clear, UV Daily and UV Sport, are hybrids that pair zinc oxide with one chemical filter.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is the most popular?
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is the best known. It is an oil-free lotion with 9% zinc oxide and 5% niacinamide, made for sensitive and blemish-prone skin, and it comes untinted, tinted and in a deep tint.
Is EltaMD good for sensitive skin?
Yes. EltaMD formulates for sensitive skin across the range: fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic options, with 100% mineral formulas such as UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 and UV Physical for the most reactive skin.
Does EltaMD leave a white cast?
EltaMD uses transparent, micronized zinc oxide so formulas rub in sheer. Untinted UV Clear suits fair to medium skin tones. For deeper skin tones, UV Clear Deep Tint and UV Daily Deep Tint were designed and tested to leave no white cast.
Which EltaMD sunscreens are water resistant?
UV Sport, UV Active, UV Pure, UV Sheer, UV Stick and UV AOX Mist are water resistant for 80 minutes. UV Physical is water resistant for 40 minutes. UV Clear and UV Daily are daily wear formulas and are not labeled water resistant.
How much does EltaMD cost?
At SkinCrew, EltaMD sunscreens run from $25 for UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm SPF 40 to $78 for the 3.7 oz UV Clear. Most face sunscreens are $42 to $53, and UV Clear SPF 46 starts at $46 for 1.7 oz.
Can I wear EltaMD under makeup?
Yes. The facial formulas are designed to wear alone or under makeup. Apply sunscreen as the last skincare step, let it set for a minute, then apply makeup. A tinted formula can replace foundation on lighter days.
Where can I buy authentic EltaMD?
From a dermatology office or an authorized retailer. SkinCrew is an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer and sources every sunscreen direct from the brand, with current expiry dating and fast US shipping.