EltaMD is a cosmetics company that sells a wide variety of skincare products, but the brand is arguably best-known for their sunscreen. The brand claims to be the "#1 Dermatologist-Recommended Sunscreen Brand."
But does EltaMD use ingredients that are clinically shown to protect skin from sun damage? Does the brand use any unhealthy ingredients? Why was EltaMD sued? And what was our Product Tester's honest experience trying EltaMD for a month?
In this review we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in two of EltaMD's most popular sunscreens (Tinted Suncreen and UV Clear) to give our take on whether or not they're likely to be effective for sun protection, and whether or not they're healthy overall.
We'll also explain why EltaMD was sued, feature our Product Tester's honest experience trying the brand for a month, and compare EltaMD to other popular sunscreen brands to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Contains research-backed active ingredients for UV protection
- Contains ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend EltaMD sunscreen
Tinted Sunscreen Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen are shown below:
Tinted sunscreens have two main benefits according to EltaMD’s site: to reduce white residue in standard sunscreen and to reflect more light.
Zinc oxide is an effective "physical" sunscreen ingredient, which means it sits atop the skin and reflects or absorbs UV rays.
A clinical trial published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found this ingredient to be safe and non-toxic, and it's a physical sunscreen ingredient we recommend.
Iron oxides are an inactive ingredient in this formulation, but are clinically shown to work synergistically with zinc oxide to provide added UV protection.
Octinoxate is a "chemical" sunscreen ingredient that we recommend avoiding.
A 2018 medical review found this ingredient to be potentially harmful to human health, and octinoxate has been banned in Hawaii due to its potential to damage coral reefs and other ecosystems.
Niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate have anti-aging effects as we documented in our Disco Eye Stick reviews article.
Overall, we consider EltaMD Tinted Sunscreen to be likely effective for sun protection, and to potentially have an anti-aging effect due to the inclusion of two other research-backed inactive ingredients.
However, we do not currently recommend this product because it contains a "chemical" sunscreen ingredient that we consider to be unhealthy.
We Tested EltaMD Sunscreen
One of our product testers named Jodie Steinberg tried EltaMD sunscreen for 30 days. Here's her experience:
The packaging was excellent. The pump dispenser dispenses the perfect amount of sunscreen, so you can ensure you are putting on the proper amount. The pump also keeps the tip clean, so there is no product build up.
The smell is fine. I did not notice anything that would be offensive. There is no fragrance added.
This is a very effective sunscreen. I love this product. It goes on easily and absorbs right away. It does not sit on the skin or attach to dry patches. It also does not sink into any fine lines or wrinkles. It leaves a nice sheen and glow to the skin without looking greasy.
It feels like nothing on the skin. It is not thick and does not leave a white cast. I think all skin types would like this product. Here are photos of the product on my face and on my hand for reference.
Face:
Hand:
I did not experience any side effects from this sunscreen.
Overall, I would rate EltaMD sunscreen 10/10, and I plan to purchase it again in the future.
Why Was EltaMD Sued?
In December of 2022, the manufacturer of EltaMD was sued over alleged false advertising.
The plaintiffs alleged that the brand was falsely advertising some of their products by marketing them as "mineral based," while they contained some harmful chemical active ingredients according to ClassAction.org.
Interestingly, one of the active ingredients that were the subject of this lawsuit (octinoxate) was an ingredient we flagged in this article as potentially questionable from a health perspective over a year before the lawsuit was filed.
We do not consider this lawsuit to suggest additional risk to consumers, because all of the relevant information is already in the ingredient lists. This is a lawsuit related to marketing.
At the time of updating this article, it's unclear whether this lawsuit is ongoing or has been settled.
EltaMD vs. Popular Sunscreens
Here's how EltaMD sunscreen compares to other sunscreen brands in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
Perbelle CC Cream
Popular 3-in-1 cosmetic formulation (including sunscreen).
Contains some inactive ingredients we consider unhealthy, but its active ingredient is titanium dioxide which is a non-toxic, "physical" sunscreen ingredient.
Winner: Perbelle CC Cream
Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Contains an inactive ingredient called phenoxyethanol that's clinically shown to be toxic to human cells in a test tube setting, as we documented in our Blue Lizard Sunscreen reviews article.
However, its active ingredients are superior to EltaMD's from a health and efficacy perspective in our opinion.
Winner: Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Supergoop
One of the most popular sunscreen brands in the US, Supergoop's popular Glowscreen sunscreen contains three active ingredients that are clinically shown to be hormone-disrupting.
Winner: EltaMD
EltaMD Sunscreen Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective active ingredients
- Should protect skin from sun
- Highly favorable online customer reviews
- Some anti-aging ingredients
Cons:
- Brand sued over allegations of deceptive marketing
- Some formulations contain phenoxyethanol
- Some formulations contain octinoxate
- May be harmful to the environment
- Doesn't appear clinically tested
- Brand website charges for shipping
