Before reading this post, it’s important that you understand how to read sunscreen products. To learn more about what the numbers in front of SPF mean, what the plus signs in front of “PA” stand for, and what “SPF” and “PA” means, click here.
Everyone knows that sunscreen is an important protective measure that everyone must apply on a daily basis. Even on cloudy days, its important to wear sunscreen since the UV rays can still reach our skin, causing damage. Many individuals who live in cold climates forget to wear sunscreen and don’t prioritize it since the “sun doesn’t always shine” in those areas. However, many people actually get sunburnt in the winter because the snow causes the UV light to reflect, increasing a person’s exposure to the harmful rays!
So over the years, I have done my research and have tried countless sunscreens for my face. I’ve tried different pharmacy brands, Korean brands, Japanese brands, Chinese brands, and even medical grade sunscreens. I was looking for something that:
1: Truly protected my skin (at least SPF 45 in my personal opinion)
2: Would not cause me to break out
3: Did not leave a white cast on my skin
4: Had other beneficial ingredients along with the sun protection (i.e. moisturizing agents, brightening agents, etc)
5: Worked well with makeup
And so, I finally found a sunscreen that I have been using for almost a year now and has been perfect for me. The sunscreen is the EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.
1: Skin Protection
Let me start off by saying that EltaMD has quickly gained recognition within the skincare community and has become a favorite within the dermatology community. It is also one of the sunscreens that is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, and is also given to patients for post-procedure relief after undergoing an aesthetic procedure.
As I mentioned in my sunscreen post which you can read here, a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 45 is enough to protect you, as long as you reapply every two hours. EltaMD has SPF 46, which means that it’s blocking over 98% of the sun’s UV rays. You are virtually being protected from all of the sun’s rays. This made me very happy because I was looking for something that would protect me from both UVA and UVB rays – something that EltaMD does since it contains zinc oxide and octinoxate as their active ingredients. Zinc oxide is a mineral (also known as “physical” or “inorganic”) sunscreen and Octinoxate is a chemical (also known as “organic”) sunscreen, making EltaMD what’s known as a “combination” sunscreen. It provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays by penetrating the skin via the Octinoxate, and providing a layer on the surface of the skin which deflects the UV rays away from the skin via the zinc oxide.
2: Noncomedogenic
Noncomedogenic means that the product is specifically formulated so that it does not block your pores. This is important for people who have acne prone skin. The formula is also oil free, fragrance-free (important for people with sensitive skin), paraben-free, and sensitivity-free. This made me very happy because in the past, one of the reasons why I wasn’t as compliant with my daily dose of sunscreen was because of how heavy and sticky the sunscreens felt. The worst part was that they always caused me to break out in pimples. Luckily, this sunscreen is light-weight, and it comes in a clear formulation which means that it won’t clog your pores, cause any pimples, and will not leave a tint on your skin. It is light enough for me to use in conjunction with my makeup since it doesn’t melt or smudge off. It also does not contain any fragrances which is HUGE for anyone who has sensitive skin.
This sunscreen brand is perfect for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin, including people who have rosacea or who are prone to acne.
3: No White Cast
The Elta MD sunscreen actually comes in two different formulations: tinted and untinted. I have used both, and they both felt the same in the sense that it did not feel heavy, it did not cause any break outs, and it did not leave any kind of white casts. I’ve stuck with the untinted formulation, however they both have physical and chemical actives in the formulation which means that it won’t leave the white cast that you see in movies from our grandparent’s generation, haha. Another important factor is that the product comes in an airless bottle with a pump, which means that the solution is less likely to oxidize, increasing its shelf life.
4: Other Nourishing Ingredients
This sunscreen also contains 4 other ingredients that are beneficial for our skin. It contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, tocopheryl acetate, and lactic acid.
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 (which you can read more about in my Instagram post here), is an important anti-inflammatory skincare ingredient that helps reduce any redness, suppresses melanin production, it’s a great anti-aging and moisturizing ingredient and it helps in regulating sebum production. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Hyaluronic acid, also known as sodium hyaluronate or hyaluronan ( which I always mention to friends on rainy days and which you can read about in my Instagram post here), is an important ingredient because it is the ultimate moisturizer! Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1,000x of its molecular weight in water! It attracts the moisture from the air onto your skin which allows your skin to absorb it and boost your moisture levels!
Tocopheryl Acetate, also known as Vitamin E, is a great antioxidant that combats free radicals which in turn reduces the signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin. As a side note, Vitamin E is a great ingredient to use in conjunction with Vitamin C, since they both work well in fighting free radicals.
Lactic acid, which is a type of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (you can read about AHA’s in my Instagram post here), is a powerful ingredient that specifically treats sunspots, old acne marks, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and dull/uneven complexion. Unlike other AHA’s such as glycolic acid, lactic acid is a milder AHA, making it a great option for people with sensitive skin.
All of these ingredients makes this product a great sunscreen for anyone who suffers from hyperpigmentation. This is something that I struggle with, and ever since I’ve been using this sunscreen in conjunction with other skincare products, I can honestly say that I have seen a change in my skin. My sun spots and old acne scars have definitely lightened, and my overall complexion has become brighter.
5. Cosmetic Compatibility
And finally, something that is nice to have for esthetic purposes, this sunscreen works well with makeup. This was actually what helped me keep up with applying sunscreen on a daily basis, ironically enough. I don’t wear foundations nowadays, but whenever I decide to apply some makeup on, I usually use a BB or CC cream that also has SPF in it. This sunscreen works well with the creams, and it does not smudge any eyeshadows, blushes, or liners.
Overall, this sunscreen has truly been a game changer for me. I use this every single morning, even if I know that I will be indoors most of the day or even if it’s a cloudy/rainy day. If you are looking for an effective sunscreen that will not sensitize your skin, will protect it from the sun, will not cause breakouts, and works well with makeup, I highly recommend this one.
You can purchase your own bottle of EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen here
I hope you guys enjoyed this post! You can find some of my other skincare posts here.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Stay humble,
Ivy
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.