🇺🇸United States

EltaMD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 for oily skin

High

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

One of the best sunscreens for oily skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 oily skin due to the presence of zinc oxide, which offers excellent seboregulation and anti-inflammatory action, alongside butylene glycol acting as a humectant.
  • The product offers excellent protection against UV due to the presence of zinc oxide and octinoxate in moderate concentrations for sunscreen effect.
  • 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

  • Apply this sunscreen during your AM routine every single day. Reapply every two hours if you are staying outdoors.
  • Apply the sunscreen as the final step of your morning skincare routine after your moisturizer. Allow your moisturizer to absorb fully before putting it on.
  • Squeeze a generous amount and pat it gently all over your face and neck. Avoid rubbing the product harshly into your skin.
  • Apply the sunscreen directly onto dry skin to ensure it forms an even and protective layer against the sun.
  • Avoid getting the product directly into your eyes and stop using it if any irritation occurs.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 900+ reviews

Users consistently praise this sunscreen as a reliable option for active lifestyles, noting its ability to withstand heavy sweating and swimming without dripping into eyes. While most find it lightweight and suitable for sensitive or acne-prone skin, a minority of users experience a shiny finish or white cast.

Highlights

  • Excellent water resistance Mostly Mentioned
    • “won't drip into eyes”
    • “stays on during sweat”
    • “perfect for golfing in Florida sun”
    • “survived a 7-day beach vacation”
  • No eye sting Often Mentioned
    • “doesn't sting my eyes”
    • “no tears when running”
    • “won't rinse off into eyes”
  • Non-greasy and lightweight Often Mentioned
    • “absorbs quickly”
    • “doesn't feel sticky”
    • “goes on smoothly”
    • “lightweight feel”
  • Good for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
    • “no breakouts”
    • “good for sensitive skin”
    • “doesn't clog pores”
  • Greasy or shiny finish Sometimes Noted
    • “looks really shiny”
    • “feels a bit greasy”
    • “too oily for face”
    • “leaves a sheen”
  • High price point Sometimes Noted
    • “tad pricey”
    • “expensive for a body sunscreen”
    • “small tube for the price”
  • Leaves white cast Rarely Noted
    • “noticeable whitish residue”
    • “left a white tint”
    • “ghostly cast on darker skin”
  • Texture issues Rarely Noted
    • “too runny”
    • “pills under makeup”
    • “separation in the tube”

Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, walmart.com, influenster.com, people.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 a great fit for oily skin?

EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 is a great fit for oily skin because zinc oxide helps control oil and calm redness, while water-binding ingredients keep skin balanced without heavy oils. Its gentle formula has an excellent safety profile, making it unlikely to cause irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025

Which ingredients make this sunscreen a good fit for oily skin?

This sunscreen is a great fit for oily skin because it contains zinc oxide, which helps control oil and calms redness, along with butylene glycol to keep skin hydrated without feeling heavy. It is also free of harsh ingredients, meaning it is unlikely to irritate your skin.

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

What does Zinc Oxide do for oily skin?

Zinc oxide helps oily skin by calming redness and reducing blemishes. It has antibacterial properties and may help control excess oil.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023

What does Octinoxate do for oily skin?

Octinoxate protects oily skin from sun damage without disrupting normal skin bacteria or clogging pores. Liposomal versions of this ingredient stay on the outer surface of the skin longer to improve sun protection while reducing deep skin absorption.

Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013

Where does this sunscreen go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This sunscreen goes as the last step of your morning skincare routine, right after your moisturizer. It is a great fit for oily skin because zinc oxide helps control oil and calm redness without causing irritation.

Journal of Controlled Release, 2025

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

Yes, you can use this sunscreen in the morning after applying your retinol and moisturizer from your routine. Sunscreen is an essential final step during the day, and this product is unlikely to cause irritation on oily skin.

How often should I use this sunscreen?

You should use this sunscreen every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. It helps protect your oily skin from UV rays while managing oil and calming redness.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Journal of Controlled Release, 2025

Can this sunscreen clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This sunscreen is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin because it lacks harsh or irritating ingredients. It has a very safe profile, though some reviewers mention a greasy or shiny finish.

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

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, 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
  • Chemical sunscreens containing avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, and octisalate showed no to minimal risks of dermal irritation, sensitization, photo-allergy, and photo-irritation in human subjects.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2025
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 difference in dermatotoxicokinetic parameters between trans-EHMC and cis-EHMC isomers was not statistically significant when applied to the forearm skin of two volunteers.

    Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 2017
  • Simulated real-life dermal sunscreen exposure in twenty human volunteers leads to the systemic bioavailability and urinary excretion of the UV filter 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and its metabolite, reaching concentration peaks at 7 to 8 hours with 70-80% of overall excretion within 24 hours.

    Archives of Toxicology, 2019
  • Controlled single dermal exposure to an EHS-containing sunscreen in three volunteers resulted in delayed systemic resorption with elimination half-lives between 6.6 and 9.7 hours, where the parent compound EHS occurred as the dominant urinary parameter.

    Archives of Toxicology, 2024
  • Dermal exposure to EHS-containing sunscreen leads to the urinary excretion of EHS as the main biomarker alongside major metabolites 5OH-EHS, 5cx-EPS, 4OH-EHS, and 5oxo-EHS, measured using an extended enzymatic hydrolysis and on-line SPE LC-MS/MS method.

    Talanta, 2024
  • Topical application of a honey, olive oil, and beeswax mixture three times daily for up to 4 weeks resulted in clinical responses in 86% of patients with pityriasis versicolor, 78% with tinea cruris, and 75% with tinea corporis.

    Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2004
  • A prototype body cream containing bee venom, propolis, honey, beeswax, and royal jelly demonstrated stability for 90 days, high antioxidant capacity of 85.45%, lack of cytotoxicity with over 70% cell viability, and no irritation or allergic reaction in dermatological analysis, while improving skin parameters in a panel test.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
  • MUD1 protected human dermal fibroblasts against AAPH-induced oxidative stress by increasing cell viability, reducing oxidative damage, improving mitochondrial functionality, and enhancing wound healing capacities.

    International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018
  • 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
  • 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 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

Ingredients

Zinc Oxide, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Bees Wax, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cetyl Peg Ppg-10 1 Dimethicone, Disodium Edta, Hexyl Laurate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Water, Sodium Chloride, Tocopheryl Acetate, 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.