We all know that SPF is a year-round practice by now, right? Which means that even during fall and winter we need to keep up our daily use of sunscreen to protect our skin from harmful UV rays that can cause sun burns and lead to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, aka sun damage and skin cancer. Over the course of my 16-year career as a licensed esthetician I’ve been the biggest fan of EltaMD Sunscreen. You can’t go wrong with EltaMD. They’re the #1 dermatologist-recommended brand of SPF. We want to help find the best Elta MD sunscreen for Y-O-U! EltaMD has a wide array of formulas for different skin types, activities and applications. It can be a little overwhelming, to be honest.
We know how difficult it can be to find an SPF that you enjoy using. It’s like finding the perfect pair of jeans. You may have to try a lot on before finding that PERFECT fit! That’s why I’ve taken the time to share with you the absolute BEST from EltaMD’s lineup of SPF’s. These are the formulas that are the best-sellers in my practice that clients reach for over and over again.
My Top EltaMD Sunscreen Recommendations for the Face:
Best for Dry Skin
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
MSRP: $39.00 (at time of publication)
We love UV Daily for a daily moisturizer with SPF protection for clients with normal to dry skin. This product is NOT water-resistant, so if you’re getting in an outdoor workout session or going for a swim- a different product would be recommended. We love that it comes in a tinted and untinted version. Tinted SPF’s are great for helping even out your skin tone but still gives you a natural, no-makeup look for the day!
Additional Details for EltaMD UV Daily:
- SPF: 40
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide: 9%, Octinoxate: 7.5%
- Skin Types: Normal, Combination and Dry
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Sheer, lightweight moisturizing formula
- Hyaluronic acid helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Fragrance-free, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic
- Also available in tinted formula
Best for Acne Prone & Sensitive Skin
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
MSRP: $43.00 (at time of publication)
We love UV Clear for a daily moisturizer with SPF protection for clients that have sensitive skin and clients that have active acne or are acne-prone. In fact, it’s the #1 recommended SPF by dermatologists for clear skin! Just like the UV Daily, we love that this product is also available in a tinted and untinted version. This product is NOT water-resistant, so keep that in mind if working out or swimming!
Additional Details for EltaMD UV Clear:
- SPF: 46
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide: 9%, Octinoxate: 7.5%
- Skin Types: Combination, Dry, Oily
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Sheer, lightweight formula
- 5% Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) helps reduce appearance of blemishes and discoloration
- Fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic
- Also available in tinted formula
My Top EltaMD Sunscreen Recommendations for the Body:
Best Water Resistant Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+
MSRP: $31.00 (at time of publication)
We love UV Sport for sweaty workout sessions AND for a day at the beach! Seriously- this formula is hands down my husbands’ favorite for his century rides. He’s an avid cyclist. He especially loves that it doesn’t sweat off, drip and cause his eyes to burn or sting! I on the other hand, am known for having this handy on any beach trip and at every pool party. This product has an 80-minute rating for water-resistance. Reapplication is the key to prevent a sunburn!
Additional Details for EltaMD UV Sport:
- SPF: 50+
- Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide: 9%, Octinoxate: 7.5%, Octisalate: 5%
- Skin Types: Combination, Dry, Oily, Mature
- Broad Spectrum: Yes
- Fast absorbing, sheer zinc oxide finish
- Water-resistant up to 80 minutes
- Does not drip into or sting eyes
- For outdoor activities like swimming, skiing, golfing or running
- Fragrance-free and paraben-free
Best Body Lotion Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Lotion Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+
MSRP: $46 (at time of publication)
We love UV Lotion for our daily commute! Living in Texas, with an average of 300 sunny days a year, putting a body lotion on with SPF for your arms, shoulders and back of your hands should be a daily habit. I like to stick a bottle of this in the cup holder of my car door. I know that extreme heat will break down the sunscreen faster, but sometimes I decide that it’s better than forgetting to put it on completely!
Additional Details for UV Lotion:
- SPF: 30+
- Active Ingredients: Octinoxate: 7.5%, Zinc Oxide: 7%
- Skin Types: Combination, Dry
- Broad-Spectrum: Yes
- For daily use to guard against sun damage and keep skin hydrated
- Hyaluronic acid helps restore suppleness to the skin
- Fragrance-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic
There’s always more to choose from…
Not seeing your favorite here? We carry over 10 different sunscreen formulations from EltaMD! So head on over to our shop and explore your options further if you’re looking for a different one. Bene Skin & Laser offers Free Shipping for online orders. If you’re local to the Austin area, you can also shop our sunscreens in person at our med spa located in Central Austin!
