It’s Skin Cancer Awareness month, and we’re here to be your friendly reminder that sunscreen is one of the most critical products in your routine (not to mention, it’s a great anti-aging product, too). But, finding the right sunscreen can be a lengthy process of trial and error, especially if you have acne-prone skin and you’re trying at all costs to avoid formulas that are greasy or make you break out even more. Well, if you haven’t tried EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 yet, I’m hopeful it will mark the end of your search. Below, my honest review of this multitasking SPF that celebs love, including Drew Barrymore, Mindy Kaling and Sydney Sweeney.
The Benefits:
We’ve heard it dozens of times: People who have acne or rosacea don’t wear sunscreen because they’re worried about breaking out or flaring up (or both). The team at EltaMD created a formula that finally allows these individuals to protect their skin while feeling confident that it won’t worsen their condition. Not only is this SPF free of oil and synthetic fragrance—two common irritants for these groups—it also contains anti-inflammatory niacinamide, which works to reduce redness and soothe damaged skin.
Combine that with hydrating hyaluronic acid, gently exfoliating lactic acid (to keep pores clean) and a high sun protection factor (SPF) via a mineral and chemical UV filter, and you’ve got a winning formula. So much so, that dozens of celebrities have used and recommended it over the past several years. It’s lightweight, blends in easily and also helps minimize the appearance of hyperpigmention over time (niacinamide is great for dark spots, too).
Drew Barrymore posted this on Instagram: “I break out from almost every sunblock. So I’m like, ‘Do I want acne or brown pigmentation?’ It’s always been a crappy toss up. Then I found this. It’s a lightweight sunscreen with a tiny bit of tint and a good number SPF. I have been long time fan of this line. They have several options, and all are amazing!”
Sydney Sweeney told Glamour, “I hate to admit this, but I spent many years not wearing sunscreen because I have such sensitive skin that my face broke out afterward. I struggled for a really long time to find the right one, but this one works.”
The tinted version (there is an non-tinted one as well) is great for those with darker skin tones (there’s no white cast at all), and those who don’t wear foundation or tinted moisturizer and prefer to get their tint via sunscreen. Below is my hand with a swatch of the sunscreen on the lefthand side, and then a picture of the sunscreen rubbed in on the righthand side. In addition to adding some nice warmth to my skin tone, it also instantly hydrated my dry skin.
Key Ingredients:
Zinc oxide, oxtinoxate, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and lactic acid
What It’s Free From:
Synthetic fragrance, oil and parabens
How to Use It:
Apply it 15 minutes before sun exposure, and reapply every two hours. Wear it alone in place of tinted moisturizer or underneath makeup. Also, don’t pull a white T-shirt over your face right after applying it, as the pigment could transfer.
Price/Where to Buy:
$43, eltamd.com
(You can also try it yourself if you’re one of the lucky ones to snag this week’s BeautyPass Free Gift Friday. Click here to sign up for BeautyPass if you haven’t already.)
