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EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 for combination skin

High

  • HighCombination Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

A great choice for combination skin; a few sunscreens fit it even better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 excellent sun protection and oil control for your combination skin, as zinc oxide absorbs excess oil and mattifies while octinoxate provides UV protection.
  • Sodium hyaluronate and dimethicone offer balanced hydration and emollient properties suitable for combination skin without feeling heavy.
  • The formula is safe for your skin, with no reported risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Apply this moisturizing sunscreen AM daily to protect your skin and control shine. Reapply as needed throughout the day.
  • Use it as the final step of your morning routine after applying your moisturizer. It combines hydration and sun protection in one.
  • Gently smooth a nickel-sized amount evenly over your face, avoiding harsh rubbing. Let it absorb fully before putting on makeup.
  • Apply it directly to clean, dry skin for the best oil-controlling finish. Ensure your face is completely dry so the product sets properly.
  • Avoid the immediate eye area during application. Do a patch test before your first use to check for any sensitivity.

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 Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 a great fit for combination skin?

EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is a great fit for combination skin because zinc oxide helps absorb excess oil to keep shine down while octinoxate provides UV protection. Additionally, sodium hyaluronate and dimethicone give your skin balanced hydration that feels light, and the formula is safe with no harsh ingredients to cause irritation.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2008

Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for combination skin?

Zinc oxide and octinoxate make this a great fit for your combination skin by absorbing excess oil and providing reliable sun protection. Sodium hyaluronate and dimethicone add balanced hydration that feels light, while the absence of harsh ingredients keeps irritation unlikely.

What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?

Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.

Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011

What does Zinc Oxide do for combination skin?

Zinc oxide helps calm irritation and protects combination skin while keeping excess oil under control. It is unlikely to clog pores and may support the skin barrier in balancing dry and oily areas.

Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for combination skin?

This moisturizing SPF goes in your morning routine as the final step after your moisturizer. It offers balanced hydration and sun protection without feeling heavy on your skin.

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

You can use this moisturizing SPF in the morning after your retinol routine, or use it as your morning sun protection while applying retinol at night. It is safe for your skin and helps keep your face hydrated without feeling heavy.

How often should I use this cream?

You can use this moisturizing SPF every morning as the final step of your daytime routine. Daily application helps protect your skin from the sun while keeping it balanced and hydrated without feeling heavy.

Health Science Reports, 2021Dermatology, 2003

Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?

This cream is a great fit for combination skin and is unlikely to cause irritation or breakouts because it is free of harsh ingredients. However, some reviewers note that it may occasionally cause minor breakouts or feel a bit shiny.

Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • Externally applied substances such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, licorice extracts, dimethicone, petrolatum, and paraffin wax treat skin disease resulting from damage to the skin barrier.

    Clinics in Dermatology, 2012
  • 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, 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.