EltaMD

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46.

Sunscreen

About this product

A tinted, broad-spectrum SPF 46 facial sunscreen from EltaMD, made with iron oxides for a sheer tint and designed for daily protection, with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in the formula.

Full ingredients

Zinc Oxide (9.0%), Octinoxate (7.5%), Purified Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Niacinamide, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Butylene Glycol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, PEG-7 Trimethylolpropane Coconut Ether, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Octyl Stearate, Iron Oxides, Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Guru Score

84%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Iron oxides are why this tint keeps coming up for melasma and hyperpigmentation: they block visible light, which can worsen dark patches, on top of UVA and UVB. Gurus also like the niacinamide, which makes it a treatment and a sunscreen in one, and the thin, fairly universal tint with a slight reflective glow. If you want that polished look, the tip on offer is the medium shade.

Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take August 2026

What they liked

Reflective finish that flatters skin
Universal tint works across skin tones
Lightweight enough for acne-prone skin

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

Best for

Sensitive skin Acne-prone skin

Type

SunscreenCream

Key actives

Niacinamide Hyaluronic acidAHAVitamin ESPF

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Daniel Sugai

722k subs

✓Yay

"Tinted sunscreen would be dermatology universal tinted moisturizer, Ulta MD tinted daily, their UV daily, and their UV clear come in tinted formulations. [...] Those are all great to consider if you have melasma. That's a non-negotiable everyday apply your tinted sunscreen."

All 4 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

Skincare Trends That Are Wasting Your Time

"The iron oxides are important to block visible light and that you can see in Dermatology's Universal Tinted Moisturizer, EltaMD's Tinted UV Clear, or their UV Elements."

How to ACTUALLY Fix Dark Spots (Dermatologist No-BS Guide)

Dermatologist’s Morning Anti-Aging Skincare Routine

"The tinted moisturizers with SPF will have iron oxides to block visible light out there. Not just UVA and UVB, but also visible light that can worsen your hyperpigmentation. EltaMD UV Clear Tint SPF 46 is a nice option. They're both SPF 46. [...] It's like a two in one. You got the moisturizer plus the SPF protection."

Dermatologist Explains: Ten Ways to Manage Melasma!

"EltaMD's UV Clear Tinted and UV Elements are just great tinted options."

Tea with MD

115k subs

✓Yay

"EltaMD also has an amazing tinted UV Clear sunscreen which is great for those who struggle with acne or rosacea because it has niacinamide."

208SkinDoc

2.10M subs

✓Yay

"The most popular sunscreen I sell in my clinic is EltaMD, the UV Clear tinted version, and it's a fantastic, fairly universal tint."

Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert

55k subs

✓Yay

"In terms of my facial sunscreen I love a tinted sunscreen. EltaMD makes a great tinted sunscreen. This is a broad-spectrum SPF 46. It's [...] very thin and tinted, and it has in it niacinamide, which is great for moisture, and hyaluronic acid, so it's a treatment and a sunscreen in one. I love that."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"I actually like the EltaMD UV Clear tinted in this scenario because it has this finish that gives you a little bit of reflective glow. I find that in a pinch it makes my skin look better than it probably actually does look on that day. [...] I'd recommend the EltaMD UV Clear tinted, use the medium tinted one, because I think it gives you that elevated look without your skin being any different."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46?

A tinted, broad-spectrum SPF 46 facial sunscreen from EltaMD, made with iron oxides for a sheer tint and designed for daily protection, with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid in the formula.

Is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 worth it?

Yes. All 5 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 84%.

What is EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46's Guru Score?

EltaMD UV Clear Tinted SPF 46 holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.