How to Decide Which EltaMD Sunscreen Is Right For Your Skin

A guide to the viral—and derm-approved—SPF brand.

By Olivia Wohlner, Editorial Assistant · May 27, 2022

EltaMD is the number-one recommended sunscreen brand by dermatologists, so it’s no surprise we’re seeing the brand pop up all over our TikTok and Instagram feeds. (The fact that it’s a Hailey-Bieber favorite doesn’t hurt either.) But with so many formulas to offer, it’s tough to pinpoint which is best for our skin type.

We spoke to Echo Sandburg, chief brand Officer at CP Skin Health Group, the brand’s parent company, who broke down all of the brand’s most popular formulas and how to differentiate them. “We wanted to make sure we have something for everybody that is wearable and feels very personal as well,” she says. And that’s exactly what they did.

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EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($39)

Skin Type: Rosacea or acne-prone skin

Safe for daily use, this formula helps calm and protect sensitive skin types that are more prone to discoloration due to acne. According to the brand, it contains niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and lactic acid to promote the appearance of healthy, glowy skin. “This comes in a tinted version, but a lot of people like to mix the untinted and tinted together to get a light, natural glow,” says Sandburg.

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EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($33)

Skin Types: Dry Skin, fine lines

Hailey Bieber’s personal favorite of them all, UV Daily flies off shelves fast, but for good reason. “If you have a little bit of dryness, this is the one for you because it has hyaluronic acid,” says Sandburg.

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EltaMD UV Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF 36 ($39)

Skin Type: Discoloration and dullness

“We’ve had a lot of people tell us that they don’t use foundation or anything else and that they just use UV Glow,” says Sandburg. “This formula includes niacinamide to help with any discoloration and to give you that long-term glow but it also has mica to offer a brightening effect as well. This is a great one is great if you’re running out the door and need a fresh glow.”

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EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ ($34)

Skin Type: All skin types

While it sold out within a week, this newly launched, sheer, bring-with-you-everywhere stick is coming back to shelves shortly. “This helps you re-apply throughout the day, but it’s all mineral, it’s 50 SPF and it’s totally sheer,” says Sandburg. “It also works across all Fitzpatricks, golfers love it and kids love it.” She also adds that Drew Barrymore bought this formula the second it launched, which made it popular from the moment it hit the brand’s social media feed.

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EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ ($39)

Skin Types: Combination Skin

“A lighter, more drippy formula, UV Sheer was also launched in January and people are going crazy for it. It’s suitable for darker Fitzpatricks and men with facial hair,” explains Sandburg, who adds that they decided to launch a bigger size so users could apply this to the body, too. This formula contains ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and squalane, all which help retain moisture in the skin, reduce water loss and help combat skin aging.

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EltaMD UV Elements Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 ($39)

Skin Types: All Skin Types, Post Procedure

A 100-percent physical, tinted-only formula, this sunscreen is gentle on even the most sensitive of skin types. Formulated with chemical-free actives, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, UV Elements provides safe sun protection while hydrating and giving the skin a light wash of coverage for a youthful appearance.

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EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($39)

Skin Types: Dry skin, hyperpigmentation, fine lines

“I use the clear version of this on the neck and deck and then the tinted version on the face, and it’s very moisturizing, but if you have sun spots from the past it helps with those, too,” says Sandburg. “Plus, it’s great for fine lines and wrinkles with help from ginger root extract and saccharide isomerate. This is the one that I wear every single day during the week.”

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EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 ($37)

Skin Types: Extra sensitive, post-procedure, oily skin

“This is a tinted-only formula, which makes it appealing for people who have just undergone a procedure,” explains Sandburg. “This one is also all-mineral and it’s the lightest tint that we have. It’s super gentle so it’s suitable for very sensitive skin and it just gives you that little bit of nice coverage.” Sandburg also adds that this formula is good if you have skin that errs on the oily side because it offers a mattifying finish.

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EltaMD UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44 ($38)

Skin Types: All skin types

This oil-free sunscreen feels totally weightless on the skin, and it’s also infused with skin-care actives like vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to attract moisture and diminish visible signs of aging.