When it comes to protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, a high-quality sunscreen is an absolute must! But finding a sunscreen that not only provides sun protection, but also keeps skin healthy and happy can be a challenge. While on the hunt for that perfect SPF, I came across the Elta MD UV Clear SPF 46 Sunscreen.
Elta MD’s UV Clear Sunscreen has gained a reputation for its exceptional performance and skincare benefits. Promising essential UV protection with a transparent finish, and healthier skin, the Elta MD UV Clear is a sunscreen with a lot to offer. But does it deliver? Let’s find out!
Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen Review: Why It’s The Best
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What Is The Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen?
Elta MD is a medical and science-backed skincare brand that focuses specifically on sun care. It has grown a cult following over the years and has become one of the most popular and most trusted sun care brands currently on the market.
Although they offer a variety of sun care products, there’s one in particular that’s garnered a lot of attention. That product is of course, the Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen.
The Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen is a mineral-based sunscreen designed to shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It retails for about $40 for 1.7oz, although price can vary by retailer. You can find it at multiple online stores like; Dermstore, Skinstore, BlueMercury, and directly from the Elta MD website.
Ingredients in the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen
The Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen features a transparent micronized zinc oxide formula that provides broad-spectrum sun protection. Zinc oxide is a physical, (or more often referred to as mineral), sunblock that sits on the surface of the skin and blocks UV rays. It also contains Octinoxate, a chemical sunscreen that absorbs UV rays, converts them into heat, and releases them from the body.
Not only does this SPF block UV rays from penetrating into skin, but it also offers additional benefits for sensitive and acne-prone skin, thanks to a few skin-loving ingredients.
Sodium hyaluronate, (which has a smaller molecular structure than hyaluronic acid and can penetrate deeper into the skin), helps to provide skin with plenty of hydration. Lactic acid refines skin, keeping pores clean and clear and reducing shine. It also has niacinamide, which helps to calm and soothe irritated skin and can help reduce redness and inflammation.
The oil-free and non-comedogenic formulation of this sunscreen ensures that it won’t clog your pores or cause any breakouts. And this sunscreen is free from any irritating fragrances, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.
With its lightweight and oil-free formulation, this sunscreen is suitable for daily use and can be easily incorporated into any skincare routine. But does this super-star SPF live up to the hype? Let’s talk about it.
Reviewing the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen SPF 46
A Little About My Skin
Before we dive into my first impressions and thoughts on the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen, I first want to share a little about my own skin.
I have pretty difficult skin, and I do not mean that lightly. I have suffered with terrible cystic acne in the past, that is now thankfully under control after years of trial and error, and multiple trips to the dermatologist. At the same time, I also have combination skin, or what I like to call “complicated skin”. My skin type fluctuates between dry and oily, but not in any consistent pattern or reason. All of that being said, I am so incredibly picky when it comes to choosing which products I put on my skin. I’m even pickier when it comes to choosing which products earn a permanent spot in my skincare routine.
I first discovered the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen from online reviews, where people could not stop talking about how this was the sunscreen to end all sunscreens! And when I heard it was safe for acne-prone and sensitive skin, I knew I had to try it immediately.
My list of must-haves in a sunscreen are pretty straightforward. There must be no white cast and no pore-clogging ingredients. It needs to be easy to blend and layer well over skincare and under makeup. And of course, it must offer optimal sun protection without irritating my skin. Simple enough. But despite that, I always had a hard time finding a sunscreen that checked all my boxes.
So I bought the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen!
My Thoughts
If you know me, you know that I am someone who pays a lot of attention to packaging. I’m a sucker for anything cute, beautiful, or aesthetically-pleasing. Although the UV Clear Sunscreen doesn’t have the prettiest packaging, it definitely more-so resembles medical-grade skincare, it is extremely functional. A convenient pump allows for more precise application, it comes out easily, so no struggling with a greasy tube.
With the first pump of the Elta MD UV Sunscreen on my fingertips, I couldn’t help but notice the unique texture. It didn’t feel chalky and dry, or oily and greasy, like many other sunscreen formulations. This felt more light and creamy, with a perfectly whipped feel!
As I applied it into my skin, it felt lightweight and smooth, and truly blended in more like a moisturizer than a sunscreen. It absorbed quickly, without leaving a greasy or sticky residue, which allowed for a comfortable and seamless application. It does have a unique scent, very reminiscent of chlorine in a swimming pool. The scent doesn’t bother me, and it isn’t overwhelming or overpowering. However, if you’re someone who is sensitive to smells, this is something to keep in mind.
One of the things that stands out the most to me with this sunscreen is its transparent finish. Although it contains mineral-based zinc oxide, it leaves no white cast on the skin. Which is something I appreciate a lot. I also really like the almost matte finish it leaves my skin with. I keep going back to comparing it to a moisturizer, but that’s truly what it feels and looks like on the skin. Instead of skin looking oily, or chalky, like many sunscreens, this one seems to control oil and shine, and keeps skin looking healthy.
I also appreciate how I can easily layer my makeup over this sunscreen without having to worry about piling or sliding, or any patches.
Is The Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen Worth It?
They say that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear because you love it so much, and that’s this one! The Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen is so good, I actually have it on a subscription! (I get a new one automatically sent to me every two months).
I think what stands out the most about this sunscreen is its winning combination of broad-spectrum protection, lightweight texture, and truly transparent finish. And with its oil-free formulation, this sunscreen is suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Which is something that is often hard to find!
As far as whether I’ve had any skin benefits from using this sunscreen, I can’t exactly say. I use other actives in my routine, like tretinoin. I also use hydrating ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid. So I can’t say for certain that this sunscreen is what has been keeping my skin so happy and healthy, or if it’s my skincare routines in general. I also often find that my skin does not react well to niacinamide, so that was one thing I was worried about before using this sunscreen. But after a year of use, this sunscreen hasn’t irritated my skin, and it’s been looking healthier than ever, so that certainly counts for something!
With all of that being said, I am completely and totally in love with this sunscreen! I unquestionably believe that the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen is worth it. It stands out among other sunscreens for so many reasons. This is a product that delivers on its promises and lives up to the hype of all the five-star reviews and continual praise!
So if you’re looking for a reliable and highly effective sunscreen, that not only provides broad-spectrum protection but also stays invisible and keeps skin clear and healthy, this is the one for you!
How To Apply & Other Helpful Tips:
To maximize the benefits of Elta MD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Sunscreen, make sure you’re applying it correctly.
- First, dispense the proper amount. Most people need about 1/4 teaspoon for their entire face, neck, and behind their ears. To make things simple, I usually just follow the 3 finger method. This method states that you need 3 finger lengths of sunscreen for the proper amount of sun protection for your face.
- Apply this generous amount evenly to all areas of your face at least 15 minutes before sun exposure. That’s how long it takes for the sunscreen to create the intended UV protective barrier.
- Allow the Elta MD UV Clear Sunscreen to sit for about 2 minutes to fully set and absorb into skin, before moving on to makeup application.
- Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating, to ensure proper UV protection.
- Consider other sun safety measures when spending time outdoors. These include wearing a protective hat, seeking shade, and wearing sunglasses that block UV rays.
Read More About My Favorite Sunscreens:
The Best Face Sunscreens: 10 Must-Haves
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