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EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 for oily acne-prone skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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

  • Highly suitable for your oily skin, this product leverages zinc oxide for its anti-inflammatory and oil-absorbing properties, effectively addressing your concerns with acne, blemishes, and breakouts. Sodium hyaluronate provides essential hydration without being overly occlusive, complementing the zinc oxide's actions.
  • The formulation offers excellent sun protection with zinc oxide and octinoxate, safeguarding your skin from UV damage while managing oiliness.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use your moisturizing sunscreen every morning. Reapply throughout the day if you are outside.
  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen as the final step of your morning routine after your moisturizer.
  • Gently smooth a nickel-sized amount over your face and neck, avoiding harsh rubbing to keep oily areas calm.
  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen on clean, dry skin to ensure even coverage and protection.
  • Avoid getting the product into your eyes and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 3.0k+ reviews

Based on a very large amount of data, users find this sunscreen to be a holy grail for dry and sensitive skin, often using it as a daily moisturizer due to its hyaluronic acid content. It is frequently praised for its lightweight, sheer texture that layers well under makeup without a white cast. However, some users with oily or acne-prone skin report it can be too dewy or lead to breakouts.

Highlights

  • Moisturizing and hydrating Mostly Mentioned
    • “feels like a light moisturizer”
    • “keeps my dry patches hydrated”
    • “plumps fine lines”
    • “great for winter dryness”
    • “dewy finish”
  • Lightweight and sheer Often Mentioned
    • “disappears into skin”
    • “no heavy residue”
    • “feels weightless”
    • “sheer coverage”
    • “not thick or pasty”
  • No white cast Often Mentioned
    • “no ghost face”
    • “blends perfectly into dark skin”
    • “tint matches well”
    • “clear on application”
    • “invisible on my complexion”
  • Gentle on sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no stinging”
    • “soothing after laser”
    • “doesn't burn eyes”
    • “calms my redness”
  • Makeup friendly Sometimes Noted
    • “makeup glides right over”
    • “doesn't separate foundation”
    • “smooth base for makeup”
    • “no pilling under concealer”
    • “best primer I've used”
  • High price Sometimes Noted
    • “bottle is tiny”
    • “wish it was cheaper”
    • “expensive for daily use”
    • “runs out too fast”
    • “pricey per ounce”
  • Too shiny Sometimes Noted
    • “looked like a greaseball”
    • “too shiny by noon”
    • “not matte enough”
    • “slick feeling”
    • “emphasized texture”
  • Causes breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused tiny bumps”
    • “broke me out on chin”
    • “clogged my pores”
    • “too heavy for acne-prone skin”
    • “switched to UV Clear”
  • Pilling issues Rarely Noted
    • “pills near hairline”
    • “balls up over serum”
    • “flakes off if touched”
    • “can't rub it in too long”
    • “incompatible with my moisturizer”

Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, eltamd.com, amazon.com, reddit.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes EltaMD UV Daily a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?

EltaMD UV Daily is a great fit because it uses zinc oxide to help absorb extra oil and calm breakouts on your oily skin. Sodium hyaluronate also adds light hydration without making your face greasy, while keeping the formula very safe and unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Biomedicines, 2025

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

This cream is a great fit because zinc oxide absorbs oil and calms redness, while sodium hyaluronate provides light moisture without feeling heavy. These ingredients help manage breakouts and protect your oily skin safely without causing irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Biomedicines, 2025

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Hyaluronic acid helps calm oily acne-prone skin by reducing sebum production and lipid synthesis in sebaceous glands. It also supports skin barrier function and improves hydration while helping deliver treatments without causing irritation.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

What does Zinc Oxide do for oily acne-prone skin?

Zinc oxide helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing pimples, redness, and excess oil. Studies show it has strong antibacterial properties that target acne-causing bacteria safely and effectively without causing irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This moisturizing SPF goes in the morning routine as the final step after your moisturizer. It protects your skin from the sun while helping calm breakouts and manage excess oil without causing irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Biomedicines, 2025

Can I use this cream with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this cream with retinol by applying your retinol first and following with this moisturizer and SPF in the morning. This routine helps protect your skin from UV damage while managing oiliness and keeping breakouts under control.

Cutis, 2006The Journal of Dermatology, 2014

How often should I use this cream?

Use this moisturizing spf every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. Daily application helps protect your oily acne-prone skin from UV damage while managing oiliness.

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This cream is a great fit for your oily acne-prone skin because it uses zinc oxide to absorb oil and sodium hyaluronate to keep your skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It has a very safe formula that is unlikely to cause irritation, though some reviewers mention a moderate shine or occasional breakouts.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021

Is this cream 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, 2025
  • Topical 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, 2025
  • Liposomal encapsulation of octyl methoxycinnamate increases its safety, skin affinity, and in vivo solar photoprotection factor while slowing its release and enhancing retention in the stratum corneum compared to a conventional formulation.

    International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013
  • Multilamellar liposomes containing octyl methoxycinnamate increased stratum corneum accumulation and reduced deeper skin penetration compared to conventional emulsions and small unilamellar liposomes in six volunteers, resulting in a slightly better sun protection factor.

    Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008
  • Dermatological products containing d-alpha tocopheryl acetate showed non-comedogenic potential with less than a 50% increase in microcomedones in 12 healthy male subjects compared to octyl palmitate.

    Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 2021
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • Nels 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, 2000
  • Topically 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, 2016
  • Replacing 20% of the chemical UV filter octyl methoxycinnamate with urucum oil in solid lipid nanoparticles maintained the skin protection factor without inducing toxic responses or significant skin penetration in human volunteers.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2018
  • Encapsulation of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane in lipid microparticles significantly reduced their in vivo human skin penetration compared to nonencapsulated filters.

    Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2011
  • The application of a sunscreen formulation containing ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene does not significantly affect critical acne-related species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, refuting the induction of facial dysbiosis in men.

    Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024
  • Wearing 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, 2024
  • Treatment 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, 2007
  • Topical application of an antioxidant serum containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented particulate matter-induced degradation of extracellular matrix components, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the skin of 15 female volunteers compared to untreated controls.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Topical application of an antioxidant mix containing 15% ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% tocopherol prevented PM and UV-induced skin barrier perturbation, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory markers, MMP9 activation, and Type I collagen loss in 15 healthy females compared to untreated exposed skin.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • A topical antioxidant serum significantly reduced air pollution-induced skin pigmentation and proinflammatory gene expression ex vivo, and improved skin aging signs in 40 healthy adult females after 90 days of daily use.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022

Ingredients

Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Water, Petrolatum, Isopropyl Palmitate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Peg-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyether-1, Citric Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Butylene Glycol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane

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.

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.