EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 vs UV Clear Blemish-Prone SPF 50
Posted by Gail Leroy on Oct 06, 2026
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 is the original lightweight face sunscreen, with 9% zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxate and 5% niacinamide, in tinted or untinted. UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 offers higher SPF, 11% zinc oxide and an oil-balancing, shine-control focus. Choose SPF 46 for sensitive skin; choose SPF 50 for oily, breakout-prone skin.
Both are daily face sunscreens from the same EltaMD family, so the choice comes down to your skin type, the finish you like and whether you want a tint. Here is how they compare, using EltaMD's own product information.
UV Clear SPF 46 vs. Blemish-Prone SPF 50 at a glance
Comparison table
| EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 |
EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 |
|
|---|---|---|
| SPF | Broad spectrum SPF 46 | Broad spectrum SPF 50 |
| Sunscreen filters | Zinc oxide 9.0%, octinoxate 7.5% | Zinc oxide 11%, octinoxate 3.5% (EltaMD calls it a hybrid sunscreen) |
| Niacinamide | 5% | 5% |
| Other notable ingredients | Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), vitamin E | Zinc-AOX Pro Technology (zinc oxide plus 4 antioxidants) |
| Finish | Lightweight; untinted version wears without a white cast | Lightweight, non-greasy, "transparent natural finish" |
| Tint options | Untinted or tinted | Untinted |
| Sizes at BeautifiedYou | Untinted 1.7 oz, tinted 1.7 oz, untinted 3.7 oz | 1.7 oz |
| Brand label wording | Noncomedogenic, oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic | Non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, fragrance-free, suitable for sensitive skin |
| Best for | Sensitive skin, breakout-prone skin, skin that tends to look red or uneven | Oily, combination and blemish-prone skin that gets shiny |
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46: the everyday classic
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is the original UV Clear formula. It pairs zinc oxide with octinoxate for broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and adds 5% niacinamide, which EltaMD says is there "to help visibly improve skin tone and discoloration." Hyaluronic acid helps with moisture, and the texture is light enough to wear alone or under makeup.
Who it suits
EltaMD designed UV Clear as an oil-free formula for sensitive skin, including skin prone to breakouts and redness. It is a good fit if your skin is sensitive, breakout-prone or tends to look red or uneven, and you want a sunscreen that feels light rather than rich. It is noncomedogenic, fragrance-free and paraben-free.
Untinted, tinted and 3.7 oz options
- Untinted 1.7 oz: the classic version. EltaMD notes it wears well alone or under makeup without leaving a white cast.
- Tinted 1.7 oz: a sheer tint that helps even out the look of skin tone. EltaMD says the tinted version works best on light, medium light, medium or medium deep skin tones.
- Untinted 3.7 oz: the same untinted formula in a larger bottle, handy if you wear it every day.
UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50: what is new
UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 is a newer member of the UV Clear family. It keeps 5% niacinamide but raises the SPF to 50 and shifts the filter balance toward zinc oxide: 11% zinc oxide with 3.5% octinoxate. It also adds EltaMD's Zinc-AOX Pro Technology, which the brand describes as "a blend of 4 antioxidants with Zinc Oxide to boost photostability."
Who it suits
EltaMD made it for oily, combination and breakout-prone skin. If your skin gets shiny by midday, breaks out easily or feels weighed down by richer sunscreens, this is the UV Clear designed with you in mind. In a 12-week EltaMD study of 43 subjects, the brand reports the formula "reduces visible excess oil and shine by 61%" (EltaMD).
Finish and feel compared with the original
Both formulas are lightweight and wear well under makeup. EltaMD describes the Blemish-Prone formula as a "lightweight, non-greasy texture" that "absorbs quickly with a transparent natural finish," with an oil-balancing focus the original does not have. The original UV Clear SPF 46 comes in a tinted version; the Blemish-Prone SPF 50 is untinted only.
How to choose
- Skin type: Sensitive, breakout-prone or easily flushed skin that is not especially oily: UV Clear SPF 46. Oily or combination skin that gets shiny and blemish-prone: UV Clear Blemish-Prone SPF 50.
- Finish: Both feel light. If shine control matters most, go with the Blemish-Prone SPF 50.
- Tint: If you want a sheer tint to even out the look of your skin, only UV Clear SPF 46 comes tinted.
- Makeup: Both are made to layer under makeup.
- Climate: In hot, humid weather, or if you get oily as the day goes on, the oil-balancing SPF 50 is the easier pick.
How to apply face sunscreen correctly
- Amount: EltaMD's directions say to apply liberally to the face and neck.
- Timing: Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure, as the last step of your morning skincare routine and before makeup.
- Reapplication: Reapply at least every 2 hours. EltaMD's UV Clear SPF 46 directions also advise using a water-resistant sunscreen if you are swimming or sweating.
- Under makeup: Both formulas are made to wear under makeup; give the sunscreen a moment to set before foundation or powder.
Other EltaMD options if neither fits
UV Daily SPF 40 (dry or normal skin)
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is a moisturizing sunscreen with zinc oxide and hyaluronic acid that EltaMD recommends for normal, dry and combination skin. It comes tinted or untinted.
UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 (visibly stressed skin; green-tinted option)
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery SPF 50 is a 100% mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide, centella asiatica and a ceramide blend, made for very sensitive skin. The green-tinted version has a color-correcting tint that helps calm the look of redness. Choose untinted or green tinted.
UV Physical SPF 41 (mineral-only)
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 is an all-mineral, lightly tinted sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. EltaMD formulates it for sensitive and oily to normal skin. Choose it if you prefer mineral-only filters; both UV Clear formulas also contain octinoxate.
You can see the full lineup on our EltaMD brand page.
FAQ
Can I use UV Clear every day?
Yes. EltaMD describes UV Clear SPF 46 as ideal for daily use, and the Blemish-Prone SPF 50 as ideal for daily wear under makeup or on its own. Apply it as the last step of your morning routine and reapply at least every 2 hours when you are in the sun.
Is UV Clear Blemish-Prone noncomedogenic?
EltaMD describes it as "Non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, fragrance-free, and suitable for sensitive skin" (EltaMD). The original UV Clear SPF 46 is also labeled noncomedogenic.
Tinted or untinted?
Only UV Clear SPF 46 comes in a tinted version. It has a sheer tint that helps even out the look of skin tone, and EltaMD says it works best on light to medium deep skin tones. If you want the Blemish-Prone formula, it is untinted, and EltaMD notes that it leaves no white cast.
Can I wear it under makeup?
Yes. EltaMD says both formulas wear well under makeup. Give the sunscreen a moment to set before you apply foundation.
Is BeautifiedYou an authorized EltaMD retailer?
Yes. We have been an authorized retailer for every brand we sell, EltaMD included, since 2010, so every UV Clear you order from us comes through authorized channels. Have other questions? Visit our FAQs.
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