EltaMD Mineral vs Hybrid Sunscreens: Which Formulas Are 100% Mineral?
Which EltaMD sunscreens are 100% mineral and which are zinc oxide hybrids, with the filters in every formula and how to choose between the two types.
"Is EltaMD mineral?" is one of the most common questions about the brand, and the answer depends on the product. Here is every formula sorted into 100% mineral or hybrid, with the exact filters in each.
Is EltaMD a mineral or a chemical sunscreen?
Every EltaMD sunscreen contains the mineral filter zinc oxide. Twelve formulas are 100% mineral, using zinc oxide alone or with titanium dioxide: UV Skin Recovery and its Green Tint, UV Physical Tinted and Rosy Tint, UV Restore and Restore Tinted, UV AOX Elements, UV AOX Mist, UV Pure, UV Active, UV Stick and UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm. The rest are hybrids that pair zinc oxide with one chemical filter: the UV Clear family, the UV Daily family, UV Sport, UV Sheer and UV Lotion.
Which EltaMD sunscreens are 100% mineral?
| Product | Mineral filters | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 | 12.9% zinc oxide | Reactive, post-procedure skin | $51 |
| UV Skin Recovery Green Tint SPF 50 | 12.9% zinc oxide | Visible redness | $53 |
| UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 | 9% zinc oxide, 7% titanium dioxide | Sensitive, oily to normal | $50 |
| UV Physical Rosy Tint SPF 40 | 9% zinc oxide, 7% titanium dioxide | Fair skin, cool undertones | $43 |
| UV Restore SPF 40 | 15% zinc oxide, 2% titanium dioxide | Sun damage, dark spots | $49 |
| UV Restore Tinted SPF 40 | 15% zinc oxide, 2% titanium dioxide | Sun damage, light coverage | $51 |
| UV AOX Elements Tinted SPF 50 | 13.5% zinc oxide, 4.4% titanium dioxide | Dry skin, photoaging | $47 |
| UV AOX Mist SPF 40 | 14% zinc oxide | Spray for face and body | $47 |
| UV Pure SPF 47 | 10% zinc oxide, 5.5% titanium dioxide | Adults and children | $44 |
| UV Active SPF 50+ | 19% zinc oxide, 4% titanium dioxide | Sport, 80 minute water resistance | $48 |
| UV Stick SPF 50+ | 22% zinc oxide | Reapplication | $40 |
| UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm SPF 40 | Zinc oxide | Lips | $25 |
Which EltaMD sunscreens are hybrids?
| Product | Filters | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (and Tinted, Deep Tint) | 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate | Sensitive, blemish-prone | $46 to $48 |
| UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 | 11% zinc oxide, 3.5% octinoxate | Oily skin | $49 |
| UV Daily SPF 40 (and Tinted, Deep Tint) | 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate | Normal to dry | $42 to $44 |
| UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 (and Tinted) | 11% zinc oxide, 5% octisalate | Dry, dehydrated | $45 to $47 |
| UV Sport SPF 50 | 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate, 5% octisalate | Sport, swimming | $32 to $62 |
| UV Sheer SPF 50+ | 15% zinc oxide, 10% octocrylene | Ultralight face and body | $38 to $46 |
| UV Lotion SPF 35 | 7% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate | Daily body use | $35 to $55 |
What is the difference between mineral and hybrid sunscreen?
Mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are particles that sit on the skin. Chemical filters such as octinoxate, octisalate and octocrylene are dissolved in the formula. A hybrid uses both: zinc oxide for broad UVA and UVB coverage, plus one chemical filter that lets the formula feel lighter and more transparent at the same SPF.
Neither type is automatically better. A mineral-only formula is the usual choice for reactive skin, for skin after a professional treatment, and for anyone who prefers to avoid chemical filters. A hybrid is often easier to wear daily, especially on oily skin or deeper skin tones, because it can be thinner and sheerer.
Should you choose mineral or hybrid?
| If you | Choose | Start with |
|---|---|---|
| Have reactive or redness-prone skin | 100% mineral | UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 |
| Just had a professional treatment | 100% mineral, as your provider directs | UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 |
| Want to avoid chemical filters | 100% mineral | UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 |
| Have oily or blemish-prone skin | Hybrid, oil-free | UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 |
| Have dry skin | Hybrid, moisturizing | UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 |
| Have a deeper skin tone | Hybrid deep tint | UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46 |
| Need a child-friendly family formula | 100% mineral | UV Pure SPF 47 |
| Swim or sweat | Either, 80 minute water resistant | UV Active SPF 50+ or UV Sport SPF 50 |
Product links: UV Skin Recovery SPF 50, UV Physical Tinted SPF 41, UV Restore SPF 40, UV Pure SPF 47, UV Active SPF 50+, UV Stick SPF 50+, UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50, UV Clear Deep Tint SPF 46, UV Sport SPF 50.
Do EltaMD mineral sunscreens leave a white cast?
EltaMD uses transparent, micronized zinc oxide, so its mineral formulas rub in far sheerer than traditional zinc pastes. Several are tinted to offset any remaining cast: UV Physical, UV Restore Tinted, UV AOX Elements and UV Skin Recovery Green Tint. UV AOX Mist SPF 40 goes on white so you can see coverage, then rubs in clear.
How do you apply mineral and hybrid sunscreens?
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.
Mineral or hybrid: still unsure?
Tell our clinical team about your skin and they will recommend one formula of each type to compare.
Ask the SkinCrew Clinical TeamWhat else do people ask about EltaMD mineral sunscreens?
Is EltaMD UV Clear mineral or chemical?
UV Clear is a hybrid. It pairs the mineral filter zinc oxide at 9% with the chemical filter octinoxate at 7.5%.
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 AOX Mist, UV Pure, UV Active, UV Stick and UV Daily Peptide Lip Balm.
Is EltaMD UV Daily a mineral sunscreen?
No. UV Daily SPF 40 is a hybrid with 9% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate. UV Daily Hydration+ SPF 50 is also a hybrid, with 11% zinc oxide and 5% octisalate.
What is the best EltaMD mineral sunscreen for the face?
UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 for reactive or post-procedure skin, UV Physical Tinted SPF 41 for oily to normal skin, and UV Restore SPF 40 for sun-damaged skin. All three are 100% mineral.
Does every EltaMD sunscreen contain zinc oxide?
Yes. Zinc oxide is in every EltaMD sunscreen, from 7% in UV Lotion to 22% in UV Stick.
Is mineral sunscreen better than chemical sunscreen?
Neither is automatically better. Mineral-only formulas are the usual choice for reactive skin and for people who prefer to avoid chemical filters. Hybrids are often lighter and sheerer for daily wear. Both protect when applied generously and reapplied.
Which EltaMD mineral sunscreen is best for children?
EltaMD describes UV Pure SPF 47 as its most gentle 100% mineral sunscreen, suitable for adults and children. UV Stick SPF 50+ is also formulated for adults and children.
Do EltaMD mineral sunscreens leave a white cast?
EltaMD uses transparent zinc oxide so formulas rub in sheer, and several mineral formulas are tinted to offset any cast.