EltaMD UV Clear vs UV Daily vs UV Physical: Which Is Right for You? (2026)
EltaMD UV Clear, UV Daily and UV Physical compared: filters, skincare ingredients, tints, water resistance, price and who each one suits.
UV Clear, UV Daily and UV Physical are the three EltaMD face sunscreens shoppers compare most, and they are built for three different kinds of skin. This guide puts them side by side so you can choose in a minute.
UV Clear vs UV Daily vs UV Physical: which should you choose?
Choose UV Clear SPF 46 if your skin is sensitive, oily or blemish-prone: it is oil-free with 5% niacinamide. Choose UV Daily SPF 40 if your skin is normal to dry: it is a moisturizing sunscreen with hyaluronic acid. Choose UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 if you want only mineral filters: it uses 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide, is oil-free, lightly tinted and water resistant for 40 minutes.
How do the three compare side by side?
| Feature | UV Clear SPF 46 | UV Daily SPF 40 | UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sensitive, oily, blemish-prone | Normal, dry, combination | Sensitive, oily to normal, mineral only |
| Active filters | 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate | 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate | 9% zinc oxide, 7% titanium dioxide |
| Filter type | Hybrid | Hybrid | 100% mineral |
| Key skincare ingredient | 5% niacinamide | Hyaluronic acid | Antioxidants, bisabolol, ginger root |
| Texture | Lightweight oil-free lotion | Sheer moisturizing lotion | Oil-free tinted lotion |
| Tint options | Untinted, Tinted, Deep Tint | Untinted, Tinted, Deep Tint | Tinted, Rosy Tint |
| Water resistance | None | None | 40 minutes |
| Size and price | 1.7 oz $46, 3.7 oz $78 | 1.7 oz $42 | 3 oz $50 |
Who should choose UV Clear?
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is for skin that reacts to heavy or fragranced sunscreen, and for oily, combination and blemish-prone skin. Its 5% niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of blemishes, visible redness and discoloration, and the oil-free base will not clog pores. It suits fair to medium skin untinted; UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 and UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 cover medium to deep tones.
If you love UV Clear but want SPF 50 and less shine, UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is the newer formula with an oil balancing finish. The UV Clear family guide compares all four.
Who should choose UV Daily?
UV Daily SPF 40 is for normal, dry and combination skin, and for mature or dehydrated skin that wants moisture from its sunscreen. Hyaluronic acid retains moisture and reduces flaking, and the texture is sheer enough to replace a morning moisturizer for many people.
For more hydration, UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 raises the SPF to 50 with 25% more hyaluronic acid and swaps octinoxate for octisalate. Tinted versions: UV Daily Tinted SPF 40, UV Daily Deep Tint SPF 40 and UV Daily Hydration+ Tinted SPF 50.
Who should choose UV Physical?
UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 is for people who want only mineral filters. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the whole filter system, the formula is oil-free, and the light tint offsets the look of mineral filters on skin. It is water resistant for 40 minutes, which is unusual for a daily tinted face sunscreen, and the 3 oz tube is nearly twice the usual face size.
UV Physical Rosy Tint SPF 40 is the same idea in a 1.7 oz size with a rosy tint for fair to light skin with pink or cool undertones. For reactive or post-procedure skin, consider UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 instead, which is also 100% mineral and adds barrier ingredients.
Can you use more than one?
Yes, and many people do. A common pairing is UV Clear or UV Daily for workdays and a water resistant formula such as UV Sport SPF 50 for weekends outdoors. Some people use UV Daily in winter when skin is drier and UV Clear in summer when it is oilier. The best sunscreen is the one you will apply generously every morning, so texture preference is a fair tiebreaker.
How should you apply them?
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.
Still deciding between the three?
Tell our clinical team your skin type and whether you want a tint, and they will pick one for you.
Ask the SkinCrew Clinical TeamWhat else do people ask about UV Clear, UV Daily and UV Physical?
What is the difference between EltaMD UV Clear and UV Daily?
Both use 9% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. UV Clear SPF 46 is oil-free with 5% niacinamide for sensitive, oily and blemish-prone skin. UV Daily SPF 40 is a moisturizing sunscreen with hyaluronic acid for normal to dry skin.
Is UV Physical better than UV Clear?
It is different, not better. UV Physical is 100% mineral with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, tinted and water resistant for 40 minutes. UV Clear is a zinc oxide hybrid with 5% niacinamide and a lighter untinted texture.
Which is better for blemish-prone skin, UV Clear or UV Daily?
UV Clear. It is oil-free and non-comedogenic, and its 5% niacinamide helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and discoloration. UV Daily is more moisturizing and suits normal to dry skin.
Which is better for dry skin, UV Clear or UV Daily?
UV Daily, or UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 for more moisture. Both contain hyaluronic acid. UV Clear is lighter and oil-free, which dry skin may find less comfortable.
Is EltaMD UV Clear a mineral sunscreen?
UV Clear is a hybrid: it pairs the mineral filter zinc oxide at 9% with the chemical filter octinoxate at 7.5%. For a 100% mineral EltaMD face sunscreen, choose UV Physical, UV Skin Recovery or UV Restore.
Are UV Clear and UV Daily water resistant?
No. Neither is labeled water resistant. UV Physical is water resistant for 40 minutes, and UV Sport, UV Active, UV Pure, UV Sheer and UV Stick are water resistant for 80 minutes.
Do UV Clear and UV Daily come tinted?
Yes. Each comes untinted, tinted and in a deep tint designed and tested on deeper skin tones. UV Physical comes in a light tint and a rosy tint.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best after a procedure?
EltaMD makes UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 for sensitive and post-procedure skin. It is 100% mineral with 2% AA Complex, ceramides and centella asiatica. Follow the guidance of the professional who performed your treatment.