EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 for acne-prone skin
Zinc Oxide
Titanium Dioxide
Dimethicone
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Cyclopentasiloxane
High
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best sunscreens for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers high compatibility with your combination skin, as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide excellent physical sun protection without exacerbating oiliness or causing breakouts.
- Ascorbyl palmitate offers antioxidant benefits, supporting your goal of managing acne and blemishes.
- The formula is safe for your acne-prone skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components.
How to apply
- Apply this sunscreen every morning as the final step of your skincare routine. Reapply every two hours if you are outdoors for best protection against breakouts.
- Apply the sunscreen after your moisturizer and before applying any makeup. Let it absorb completely ⏱ before going outside.
- Take a nickel-sized amount and gently pat it evenly across your face and neck. Avoid rubbing aggressively to keep your combination skin calm.
- Apply the sunscreen on clean, dry skin to ensure an even protective layer. This helps manage excess shine without clogging your pores.
- Avoid the immediate eye area and do a quick patch test before first use. Stop using it if you notice any irritation and consult a specialist.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 500+ reviewsA significant drawback is its thick texture, which often results in a noticeable white cast and a shiny appearance, making it less ideal for daily cosmetic use but effective for outdoor activities.
Highlights
Leaves white cast Mostly Mentioned
- “Leaves a chalky coating”
- “Looking pasty and dull”
- “Holey moley... white cast”
Gentle on skin Often Mentioned
- “Best sunscreen for sensitive skin”
- “Doesn't irritate or burn”
Heavy greasy texture Often Mentioned
- “Distinctively waxy-feeling”
- “Leaves a shiny finish”
- “Heavy and sticky”
Effective physical protection Sometimes Noted
- “Good physical sunscreen”
- “Protects well against sun damage”
- “High zinc content protection”
No eye sting Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't burn my eyes”
- “Safe for eyelids”
- “Great for kids, no tears”
Water resistant Sometimes Noted
- “Great sunscreen for the pool”
- “Waterproof and sweatproof”
- “Stays on during outdoor activities”
Difficult to blend Sometimes Noted
- “Takes work to play well with hair”
- “Hard to rub in completely”
- “Clings to stubble/brows”
Hard to remove Rarely Noted
- “Need to scrub to get it off”
- “Stays on skin stubbornly”
- “Hard to wash off hands”
Sources: lovi.care, eltamd.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes EltaMD UV Pure SPF 47 a great fit for acne-prone skin?
EltaMD UV Pure SPF 47 is a great fit because its zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide sun protection without adding oil or causing breakouts. Ascorbyl palmitate also helps manage blemishes, while the gentle formula keeps skin calm without causing irritation.
Which ingredients make this sunscreen a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide make this sunscreen a great fit for your acne-prone skin because they provide sun protection without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Ascorbyl palmitate also helps by offering antioxidant benefits that support managing blemishes, while gentle ingredients ensure a safe experience without irritation.
What does Zinc Oxide do for acne-prone skin?
Zinc oxide helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing breakouts, redness, and the bacteria linked to pimples. Studies show that using it on your skin is generally safe and unlikely to cause irritation.
What does Titanium Dioxide do for acne-prone skin?
Titanium dioxide sits on the surface of your skin to block UV rays without sinking in, which is generally safe for acne-prone skin. However, a product for this skin type needs extra soothing ingredients and oil control to help manage breakouts.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2000Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2001
Where does this sunscreen go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This sunscreen is applied in the morning as the final step after your moisturizer. It provides physical sun protection without clogging pores or causing breakouts on acne-prone skin.
Can I use this sunscreen with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this sunscreen every morning as the final step of your daytime routine, after your retinol has been applied and absorbed the night before. Because it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, it provides gentle sun protection that is unlikely to trigger breakouts or irritate sensitive skin.
How often should I use this sunscreen?
You can use this sunscreen every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect your skin without causing breakouts, and it is gentle enough for daily use.
Can this sunscreen clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This sunscreen is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on acne-prone skin. Its mineral ingredients provide sun protection without adding extra oil or causing irritation.
Is this sunscreen fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Biomimetic hyaluronic acid-stabilized zinc oxide nanoparticles selectively inhibited C. acnes, outperformed erythromycin in preclinical acne models, and safely reduced acne lesions and redness in a clinical trial.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Topical 0.5% hyaluronic-ZnO nanogel applied twice daily reduced inflammatory-lesion counts by 58% at week four in human subjects compared to baseline without causing erythema.
Biomedicines, 2025Topical application of micronised titanium dioxide results in no dermal absorption, with the particles being deposited solely on the outermost surface of the stratum corneum.
Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, 2001Combined ascorbyl palmitate and sodium ascorbyl phosphate treatment significantly reduced facial sebum secretions in healthy female volunteers compared to a placebo control over 90 days.
Drug Research, 2017Nels cream achieved a similar reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts compared to 5% benzoyl peroxide in acne vulgaris patients, but caused significantly fewer side-effects such as peeling and dryness.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2000Topically applied coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles under flexing and massage are retained in the stratum corneum with no significant penetration into the viable epidermis and no cellular toxicity in human skin.
Nanomedicine, 2016Microfine titanium dioxide does not penetrate human skin when formulated in an oil-in-water emulsion with the pigment dispersed in the aqueous phase, compared to oily dispersions and liposomal encapsulation which allow deeper skin penetration.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2000Replacing microsized titanium dioxide and zinc oxide with nanoparticles in sunscreens eliminates opaqueness and alters UV protection balance while inducing (photo)cyto- and genotoxicity and penetrating viable skin layers during long-term exposures.
Nanotechnology, Science and Applications, 2011Microfine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide do not penetrate the stratum corneum of porcine skin in vitro, indicating that their use in sunscreens does not pose a health risk from internal exposure.
Toxicology in Vitro, 2006Wearing an N95 mask alone compared to using dimethicone cream or hydrocolloid dressing caused more adverse skin reactions among 73 military health care workers, with no significant differences in fit test failure rates between groups.
Military Medicine, 2024Treatment with a moisturizer containing dimethicone and glycerine increased epidermal thickness by 0.019 mm, improved barrier function by decreasing transepidermal water loss by 13%, decreased melanin intensity, and induced keratins 6 and 16 in fifteen women with moderately photoaged forearms.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2007Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Ingredients
Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Lauryl Peg-9 Polymethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone Peg-10 15 Crosspolymer, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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