EltaMD skincare
EltaMD is an American skincare brand founded in 1988 and owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company since 2018.
en.wikipedia.orginvestor.colgatepalmolive.comeltamd.compitchbook.com
EltaMD is widely loved for its thoughtful range of sunscreens, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, all driven by expert formulas. Its products suit dry skin and oily skin best, offering gentle care across varying needs. For particular concerns, the standout products include the UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 for acne-prone skin, the UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 for skin with dark spots, and the AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer for mature skin. Through these carefully crafted solutions, the brand helps maintain a calm, healthy, and balanced complexion every day.
Hyaluronic acidThis page covers some of the most popular EltaMD products; for the whole EltaMD range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 85.9k+ reviewsReviewers most often praise EltaMD for lightweight and non-greasy textures, effective hydration and skin barrier repair, and calming redness and sensitivity. The most common complaints are insufficient moisture for dry skin and occasional white cast or pilling.
Highlights
Lightweight and non-greasy sunscreens Mostly Mentioned
- “Disappears into skin — UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46”
- “disappears into skin — UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40”
- “absorbs quickly — UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50”
Lightweight and non-greasy moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer”
- “Absorbs quickly — PM Restore Moisturizer”
Sensitive skin safe moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
- “no breakouts — AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer”
- “Calms redness — PM Restore Moisturizer”
Makeup primer friendly sunscreens Often Mentioned
- “Sits beautifully under makeup — UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46”
- “makeup glides right over — UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40”
Sensitive skin friendly sunscreens Often Mentioned
- “no stinging — UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40”
- “no breakouts — UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Too expensive for the size — UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46”
- “Great product but too pricey — Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “bottle is tiny — UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40”
Packaging issues Sometimes Noted
- “Pump stopped working halfway through — Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Cannot see remaining product — PM Restore Moisturizer”
- “It's not the most hygienic option. — Skin Recovery Night Mask”
Not moisturizing enough Sometimes Noted
- “If you have severely dry skin, this is probably not for you. — Skin Recovery Night Mask”
- “not for dry skin — AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer”
- “Clings to dry patches — UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46”
Too shiny Sometimes Noted
- “looked like a greaseball — UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40”
- “looks really shiny — UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50”
Sources: lovi.care, amazon.com, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, eltamd.com, and more
Questions and answers
Is EltaMD good for oily skin?
Yes, EltaMD is a great option because Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for oily skin. Reviewers often mention that its sunscreens and moisturizers feel lightweight and non-greasy.
Is EltaMD worth it?
EltaMD offers lightweight sunscreens and sensitive-friendly moisturizers, making it a solid choice for dry, oily, and acne-prone skin types. Lovi rates EltaMD-focused routines Superior for dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that prices tend to be high, ranging mostly between $42.00 and $51.00 on Amazon.
What are EltaMD's best products?
EltaMD's best products are its sunscreens, particularly UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, which Lovi rates Superior for oily, acne-prone, and dry skin. Reviewers often mention these sunscreens as lightweight, non-greasy, and friendly to sensitive skin. The EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
Which EltaMD moisturizer is best for dry skin?
AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer is the best choice for dry skin, and Intense Moisturizer is another good option. PM Restore Moisturizer is also available on the page for dry skin.
Does EltaMD cause breakouts?
EltaMD is unlikely to cause breakouts for most users, as the brand features lightweight and non-greasy formulas that fit acne-prone skin best. Lovi rates UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 as Superior for oily acne-prone skin.
Is EltaMD fragrance-free?
Yes, every one of the EltaMD products on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. This helps make the range a safe choice for sensitive skin.
What are the key ingredients in EltaMD products?
The EltaMD products on this page feature hyaluronic acid as a key ingredient to help hydrate the skin. Studies indicate that topical hyaluronic acid supports skin quality and hydration.
How do I build a EltaMD skincare routine?
To build an EltaMD routine for dry skin, start your morning with a cleanser, a hydrating toner, AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, and UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. In the evening, use a pre-cleanser, cleanser, serum, and the same moisturizer. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for dry skin.
Where can I buy EltaMD, and how much does it cost?
EltaMD is available for purchase on Amazon US. The products on this page are priced from $32.00 to $51.00, with most falling between $42.00 and $51.00.
What are good alternatives to EltaMD?
Good alternatives to EltaMD include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. These similar skincare brands also have dedicated pages on Lovi for comparison.
EltaMD vs CeraVe: which is better?
EltaMD and CeraVe both perform very well, with Lovi rating EltaMD-focused routines as Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers often mention EltaMD's lightweight, non-greasy sunscreens and moisturizers, though some note a high price point. CeraVe offers similar top-tier routines but generally at a lower price.
Who owns EltaMD, and where is it from?
EltaMD is an American brand founded in 1988, owned by Colgate-Palmolive Company since 2018.
en.wikipedia.orginvestor.colgatepalmolive.comeltamd.compitchbook.com
Is EltaMD cruelty-free?
Yes: PETA lists EltaMD as cruelty-free.
Is EltaMD good for dry skin?
Yes, EltaMD is well-suited for dry skin, as the EltaMD products on this page feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for dry skin.
Which EltaMD cleanser is best for oily skin?
EltaMD offers the Foaming Facial Cleanser for oily skin, which Lovi rates Average for this skin type.
Is EltaMD good for sensitive skin?
Yes, EltaMD is a good option for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for sensitive skin. The EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, which helps reduce the risk of irritation.
Which EltaMD sunscreen is best for sensitive skin?
The best EltaMD sunscreen for sensitive skin is UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, followed by UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 and UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50. Lovi rates UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 as Superior for sensitive skin, while the other two rate High.
Is EltaMD good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, EltaMD is a great option for acne-prone skin because Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that the sunscreens and moisturizers are lightweight and non-greasy, which helps keep pores clear. Additionally, the EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
Is EltaMD good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, EltaMD offers products that help with dark spots, and Lovi rates UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 High for skin with dark spots. These formulas include niacinamide, which may reduce unwanted skin pigmentation.
Is EltaMD good for mature skin?
Yes, EltaMD is well-suited for mature skin, with Lovi rating AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer High for mature skin. Reviewers often mention its sunscreens feel lightweight, while the EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
Research behind EltaMD's key ingredients
Taurine bromamine (TauBr)--its role in immunity and new perspectives for clinical use
Amino acid complex (AAComplex) benefits in cosmetic products: In vitro and in vivo clinical studies
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Moisturizing potentials of ascorbyl palmitate and calcium ascorbate in various topical formulations
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Behind these ratings
Lovi rates every product from its 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
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