The 10 Best EltaMD Sunscreens, Ranked by Skin Type (2026)
The ten best EltaMD sunscreens for 2026, ranked by skin type, with filters, prices, a quick-pick table and brand study results.
EltaMD makes 24 sunscreens that look alike on a shelf and behave very differently on skin. This ranking orders the ten we recommend first and says exactly who each one is for. Prices are current US retail, and SkinCrew is an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer.
What is the best EltaMD sunscreen in 2026?
The best EltaMD sunscreen overall is UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, an oil-free lotion with 9% zinc oxide and 5% niacinamide for sensitive and blemish-prone skin. For dry skin choose UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50, for reactive skin choose the 100% mineral UV Skin Recovery SPF 50, and for sport choose UV Sport SPF 50, which is water resistant for 80 minutes.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for your skin type?
| Skin type or need | Best pick | Filters | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensitive, blemish-prone | UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | Zinc oxide + octinoxate | $46 |
| Oily, shiny | UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 | Zinc oxide + octinoxate | $49 |
| Normal to dry | UV Daily SPF 40 | Zinc oxide + octinoxate | $42 |
| Dry, dehydrated | UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 | Zinc oxide + octisalate | $45 |
| Reactive, post-procedure | UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 | 100% mineral | $51 |
| Visible redness | UV Skin Recovery Green Tint SPF 50 | 100% mineral | $53 |
| Sun damage | UV Restore SPF 40 | 100% mineral | $49 |
| Deeper skin tones | UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 | Zinc oxide + octinoxate | $48 |
| Sport, swimming | UV Sport SPF 50 | Zinc oxide hybrid | $32 |
| Reapplication | UV Stick SPF 50+ | 100% mineral | $40 |
What are the 10 best EltaMD sunscreens, ranked?
Ranked by how many people each formula suits, then by what it adds beyond sun protection, with wearability deciding close calls. Study figures are EltaMD-reported.
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The reason most people discover EltaMD. A lightweight, oil-free lotion with 5% niacinamide that helps reduce the appearance of blemishes, visible redness and discoloration while it protects. It leaves no white cast on fair to medium skin, will not clog pores and sits well under makeup. Not water resistant.
Shop nowUV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50
The next generation of UV Daily: 25% more hyaluronic acid, SPF 50 and ZincAOXPro Technology, four antioxidants paired with zinc oxide. In a 12-week EltaMD study of 32 subjects with dry skin it provided 24-hour hydration.
Shop nowUV Skin Recovery SPF 50
A mineral sunscreen built like a barrier cream. 2% AA Complex, a patented blend of taurine, arginine and glycine, works with ceramides and centella asiatica. EltaMD reports redness reduced by 52% and dryness by 72% in a 12-week study of 45 subjects.
Shop nowUV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50
The newest UV Clear: SPF 50, an oil balancing finish and 5% niacinamide, designed for and tested on blemish-prone skin in a 12-week study of 43 subjects. Choose it over classic UV Clear if you turn shiny by midday.
Shop nowUV Daily SPF 40
A sheer, lightweight sunscreen with hyaluronic acid for normal, dry and combination skin. The lowest-priced face formula in the range, and one of the easiest to wear daily.
Shop nowUV Restore SPF 40
A 100% mineral sunscreen with ginger root extract and saccharide isomerate to minimize the look of dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, plus plant-derived squalane in an oil-free base. Also available tinted.
Shop nowUV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46
UV Clear, designed and tested on deeper skin tones with Invisible Blend Technology for a sheer, no white cast finish. In a 12-week EltaMD study of 37 people, skin texture improved by 40% and discoloration by 38%.
Shop nowUV Sport SPF 50
Water resistant for 80 minutes, spreads on wet or dry skin and is formulated so it does not drip into the eyes and sting. The 8 oz tube covers a family.
Shop nowUV Skin Recovery Green Tint SPF 50
UV Skin Recovery with a sheer green tint. Green sits opposite red on the color wheel, so the tint cancels the look of redness without heavy coverage, then blends into most skin tones.
Shop nowUV Stick SPF 50+
A 100% mineral stick that is water resistant for 80 minutes. Swipe it on without a mirror or clean hands: over makeup, on children, on the golf course.
Shop nowWhich other EltaMD sunscreens are worth a look?
UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 at $50 is the oil-free, lightly tinted mineral option for sensitive and oily to normal skin, water resistant for 40 minutes. UV Pure SPF 47 at $44 is the formula EltaMD describes as its most gentle mineral sunscreen, for adults and children. UV Active SPF 50+ at $48 is 100% mineral with 19% zinc oxide for runners and swimmers. UV Sheer SPF 50+ from $38 is an ultralight SPF 50+ with hyaluronic acid and squalane. UV AOX Mist SPF 40 at $47 is a zinc oxide spray that goes on white and rubs in clear, and UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm SPF 40 at $25 covers lips with a 3% peptide blend.
What does EltaMD cost, from entry to premium?
Entry: UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm $25, UV Sport 3 oz $32, UV Lotion 3 oz $35, UV Sheer 1.7 oz $38. Core face formulas: UV Daily $42, UV Physical Rosy Tint $43, UV Daily Tinted and Deep Tint $44, UV Daily Hydration+ $45, UV Clear $46, UV Clear Tinted and Deep Tint $48. Specialist: UV Restore and UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing $49, UV Physical Tinted $50, UV Skin Recovery and UV Restore Tinted $51, UV Skin Recovery Green Tint $53. Large sizes: UV Lotion 8 oz $55, UV Sport 8 oz $62, UV Clear 3.7 oz $78.
How do you get the most from an EltaMD sunscreen?
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 of the ten is yours?
Tell our clinical team your skin type and tone, and they will name one formula and one tint.
Ask the SkinCrew Clinical TeamWhat else do people ask about the best EltaMD sunscreens?
What is the best EltaMD sunscreen?
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is the best single EltaMD sunscreen for most people. It is oil-free, contains 5% niacinamide, leaves no white cast on fair to medium skin and suits sensitive and blemish-prone skin.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for oily skin?
UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50. It has an oil balancing finish, 5% niacinamide and SPF 50, and was designed for and tested on blemish-prone skin. Classic UV Clear SPF 46 is the other oil-free choice.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for dry skin?
UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50. It contains 25% more hyaluronic acid than UV Daily and provided 24-hour hydration in a 12-week EltaMD study of 32 subjects. UV Daily SPF 40 is the lighter option.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for sensitive skin?
UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 for reactive skin that needs a 100% mineral formula, and UV Clear SPF 46 for sensitive skin that is also oily or blemish-prone. Both are fragrance-free.
Which EltaMD is best for dark skin tones?
UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 and UV Daily Deep Tint SPF 40. Both were designed and tested on deeper skin tones and use Invisible Blend Technology for a sheer finish with no white cast.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is 100% mineral?
UV Skin Recovery, UV Skin Recovery Green Tint, UV Physical Tinted, UV Physical Rosy Tint, UV Restore, UV Restore Tinted, UV AOX Elements, UV Pure, UV Active, UV AOX Mist, UV Stick and UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm use only mineral filters.
Is UV Clear or UV Daily better?
Neither is better: they are for different skin. UV Clear is oil-free with 5% niacinamide for sensitive, oily and blemish-prone skin. UV Daily is a moisturizing formula with hyaluronic acid for normal to dry skin.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for the beach?
UV Sport SPF 50 or UV Active SPF 50+. Both are water resistant for 80 minutes and made for face and body. UV Active is 100% mineral; UV Sport spreads easily on wet skin.
Where can I buy EltaMD sunscreen online?
SkinCrew is an Authorized EltaMD US Retailer and carries 24 EltaMD sunscreens sourced direct from the brand, with free US shipping on orders of $99 or more.