EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

What is EltaMD UV Clear SPF 50?

EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is a lightweight, untinted face sunscreen that EltaMD says it designed for and tested on acne-prone skin. It pairs 11% zinc oxide with 3.5% octinoxate for broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and carries 5% niacinamide, which the brand says helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and improves overall skin complexion. The texture is non-greasy with a transparent natural finish, and the brand says it wears well under makeup or on its own.

Who it is for

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 50 is built for daily wear, and EltaMD states it is designed for and tested on acne-prone skin and suitable for sensitive skin. Its non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, fragrance-free formula wears comfortably under makeup or on its own.

Specification

• Product Type: Face sunscreen (lotion)
• SPF Rating: SPF 50
• Protection: Broad-spectrum UVA/UVB
• Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 11%, Octinoxate 3.5%
• Signature Ingredient: 5% Niacinamide
• Finish: Sheer, non-greasy, residue-free
• Skin Type: Acne-prone skin; suitable for sensitive skin
• Free From: Fragrance
• Size: 1.7 fl oz

What EltaMD publishes about it

• Broad-spectrum SPF 50, from 11% zinc oxide and 3.5% octinoxate.
• 5% niacinamide, which the brand says helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and improves overall skin complexion.
• In a 12-week study of 43 subjects the brand reports visible blemishes reduced by 65%, visible excess oil and shine by 61%, and visible pore size by 25%.
• Zinc-AOX Pro Technology, which the brand describes as a blend of 4 antioxidants with zinc oxide, to boost photostability and help protect skin from 5 environmental stressors: UV rays, blue light, HEVL, smog and diesel exhaust.
• Non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin.
• Lightweight, breathable texture that the brand says blends seamlessly and wears well under makeup.

It is one of the sunscreens on our shelf for skin that breaks out.

Where it sits on our shelf

Browse the full EltaMD sunscreen lineup for tinted, all-mineral and everyday hydrating options.

Or compare it against the rest of our sunscreen shelf.

How to Use

• Apply liberally to the face and neck 15 minutes before sun exposure, as the last step of your morning routine.
• Reapply at least every 2 hours.
• This is not a water-resistant sunscreen. Its label directs you to use a water-resistant sunscreen if you are swimming or sweating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answered from EltaMD's own published statements about this formula. The full ingredient list, as printed on the registered drug label, sits in the Ingredients section above.

Does this sunscreen leave a white cast on the skin?

No. The brand describes it as an untinted sunscreen that wears well alone or under makeup without leaving a white cast.

Is this product suitable for acne-prone or sensitive skin?

Yes. It is designed for and tested on acne-prone skin, and stated to suit sensitive skin.

Can I wear this sunscreen under makeup?

Yes. The lightweight, non-greasy texture absorbs quickly and is ideal for daily wear under makeup or on its own.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: Octinoxate 3.5%, Zinc Oxide 11.0%.

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS, as printed on the registered US drug label, revised 27 January 2026: Water, dimethicone, niacinamide, octyldodecyl neopentanoate, ethylhexyl methoxycrylene, butyloctyl salicylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, phenoxyethanol, polyisobutylene, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tocopheryl acetate, carnosine, bisabolol, tocopherol, PEG-7 trimethylolpropane coconut ether, pongamia pinnata seed extract, oleth-3 phosphate, lactic acid, canola oil, BHT, sodium hyaluronate, phosphoric acid, zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract.

Niacinamide sits at position 3 of the inactive list. EltaMD publishes its level as 5%, which is a figure the drug label does not carry, since a label states percentages for actives only.

What EltaMD says about four of them. 11% zinc oxide: a mineral filter that delivers gentle broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. 3.5% octinoxate: a lightweight chemical filter that absorbs UVB rays. 5% niacinamide (vitamin B3): a high-purity ingredient that helps reduce the appearance of blemishes and improves overall skin complexion. Zinc-AOX Pro Technology: a blend of 4 antioxidants with zinc oxide, to boost photostability and help protect skin from 5 environmental stressors. The brand does not name the four antioxidants.

EltaMD's own ingredient list is shorter than the registered label's. The brand page lists 19 inactive ingredients where the label lists 23, and omits butyloctyl salicylate, canola oil, BHT and phosphoric acid. The list above is the label's. EltaMD's page carries its own note that ingredients may change and that the packaging is the current source.

Who Is This For?

EltaMD designed this one for and tested it on acne-prone skin, and states it suits sensitive skin. Of the three UV Clear sunscreens we stock, this one carries the most zinc oxide, at 11%, and the least octinoxate, at 3.5%.

Routine-Based Merchandising

Incorporate this sunscreen as the essential final step of your morning regimen: 1) Cleanse your face to remove impurities, 2) Apply your preferred serums or treatments, 3) Follow with your moisturizer, and finish by applying this sunscreen generously to protect your skin before proceeding to makeup application.