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 for oily skin. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for oily skin, featuring lightweight sunscreens like UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 that help keep shine under control.
Is EltaMD worth it?
EltaMD may be worth it for shoppers looking for lightweight sunscreens and gentle moisturizers, though prices on this page are relatively high. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for dry, oily, and sensitive skin types.
What are EltaMD's best products?
EltaMD offers several top-performing options, with UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 earning a Superior fit across nearly all skin types including oily and dry skin. For daily hydration and protection, UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 and AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer also achieve High fit ratings across a wide range of skin types.
Which EltaMD moisturizer is best for dry skin?
The best EltaMD moisturizer for dry skin is AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, which Lovi rates High for dry skin. Intense Moisturizer also rates High, while PM Restore Moisturizer rates Average.
Does EltaMD cause breakouts?
EltaMD is unlikely to cause breakouts, as the EltaMD products on this page are designed to feel lightweight and non-greasy on the skin. Lovi rates UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 as Superior for oily acne-prone skin.
Is EltaMD fragrance-free?
Yes, the EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
What are the key ingredients in EltaMD products?
Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient across the EltaMD products. Topical hyaluronic acid helps improve skin quality and signs of aging.
How do I build a EltaMD skincare routine?
To build an EltaMD routine for dry skin, start your morning with the Foaming Facial Cleanser, follow with the Skin Recovery Essence Toner and AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, and finish with UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50. In the evening, cleanse with the Foaming Facial Cleanser, apply PM Restore Moisturizer, and use the Skin Recovery Night Mask.
Where can I buy EltaMD, and how much does it cost?
EltaMD products on this page are available at stores in the United Kingdom. Prices range from £40.99 to £60.18, with most costing between £40.99 and £60.18.
What are good alternatives to EltaMD?
Good alternatives to EltaMD include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. These brands also have dedicated pages on Lovi.
EltaMD vs CeraVe: which is better?
EltaMD and CeraVe both perform well, but EltaMD rates Superior for dry skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin, while CeraVe rates High for dry skin and Superior for oily and sensitive skin. Reviewers note that EltaMD sunscreens and moisturizers are lightweight and non-greasy.
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 fits dry skin very well, as Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for dry skin. The EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients, helping keep dry and sensitive skin calm.
Which EltaMD cleanser is best for oily skin?
The Foaming Facial Cleanser is the best EltaMD cleanser for oily skin.
Is EltaMD good for sensitive skin?
Yes, EltaMD is a great choice for sensitive skin, and Lovi rates the brand-focused routine Superior for sensitive skin. The EltaMD products on this page list no fragrance in their ingredients.
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 very well-suited for acne-prone skin. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for acne-prone skin, and products like UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 achieve a Superior fit for keeping oily and breakout-prone skin calm.
Is EltaMD good for skin with dark spots?
EltaMD is good for skin with dark spots because several of its products, such as UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and AM Therapy Facial Moisturizer, rate High for this skin concern. Lovi rates the EltaMD-focused routine Superior for overall skin types like dry, oily, and sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid is included as a key ingredient across the products.
Is EltaMD good for mature skin?
Yes, EltaMD is good for mature skin. Lovi rates UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Superior for mature skin, and the brand's products help keep skin soft and smooth.
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
How does it fit your skin?
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