Women's Health July 17, 2026 0 Comments

I Tried EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Sunscreen Daily for 7 Months—Here’s the Surprising Game-Changer Nobody Told You About!

Ever noticed how summer heat turns your face into a literal makeup meltdown zone? I sure have—and honestly, wearing foundation during those sticky months feels like slapping on a melting mask that’s just begging to slide off. After ditching the heavy layers, I found my holy grail: the EltaMD Clear Tinted Sunscreen. I’ve been rocking this almost daily for seven months straight, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. Lightweight, breathable, with just the right tint to smooth out imperfections without suffocating my skin – it’s like having sun protection and subtle coverage casually rolled into one. Curious how this sunscreen not only shields but also lets your skin breathe freely under the summer blaze? Let’s dive deep. LEARN MORE

3 min read

During the summer, I never wear foundation. In heat and humidity, my makeup feels like a mask ready to melt off my face. I’ve been using the EltaMD Clear Tinted Sunscreen almost daily for seven months, and I don’t see myself switching anytime soon.

Cons

If you want full coverage foundation effects

What I Like

Why I Skip Foundation

As WH’s beauty editor, I’ve quite literally tested hundreds of sunscreens over the last decade covering skincare. EltaMD Clear stands out for its combination of nourishing ingredients, flexible shades, and comfort. It’s one of the few face SPFs that hasn’t clogged my pores that lead to blackheads and zits, which is a major problem for my oily skin in the summer. I’ve even fallen asleep wearing this SPF (please don’t tell my derm!) to ensure the creamy, almost-whipped SPF really doesn’t cause breakouts, and I’ve never had an issue the next morning.

Since you’re not testing beauty products for a living, just remember to double-cleanse your face, or else your white pillowcases will be stained like mine. Otherwise, this is truly one of the best and most reliable sunscreens I’ve tested and often recommend to others looking for a no-frills option that genuinely works.

SHOP ELTAMD CLEAR TINTED SUNSCREEN

Three Flexible Shades

EltaMD is available in three shades: Clear for light to medium complexions, Tinted (my closest match), and Deep for more melanin-rich complexions. For reference, I wear the shade 9 Cool in the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation. In the summer, I’ll mix in a half pump to a pump of deep to match my tan. I’ll even grab my Anisa cream bronzer brush and just apply the deeper shade all over as a bronzer to bring some dimension and warmth to my complexion. The coverage starts light, but is buildable. I can achieve medium coverage with a second pea-sized layer, which helps conceal my hyperpigmentation and neutralize the appearance of red pimples.

Why Dermatologists Recommend EltaMD Clear Sunscreen

I chatted with five dermatologists about the best face sunscreens, and they all suggested EltaMD Clear, especially for acne-prone, oily skin like mine. The pros appreciate the lightweight, non-comedogenic formula that won’t cause breakouts. Teresa Song, MD, told me it’s one of her favorites for protecting her acne-prone skin. It combines niacinamide, which helps improve skin tone and texture, with lactic acid to gently exfoliate.

Although I don’t have rosacea, Brendan Camp, MD, said the fragrance-free formula is compatible with sensitive skin. It’s infused with vitamin E to help fight free radicals that cause signs of aging, added Hadley King, MD.

FWIW, it also contains hyaluronic acid, which I always describe as a drenched sponge because the humectant can hold up to a 1,000 times its weight in water. My oily skin behaves like combination skin in the fall—an oily T-Zone and dry cheeks—and I noticed that EltaMD hydrates better than the Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Sunscreen, whether paired with a moisturizer or applied to my bare face.

The Bottom Line

After seven months of almost daily wear, EltaMD Clear Sunscreen is the face SPF I trust the most. It doesn’t clog my large pores or cause breakouts, and evens my complexion, so I feel confident enough to skip concealer or foundation. It’s one of the most reliable tinted face sunscreens I’ve tried, and I recommend it if you want light coverage without compromising on broad-spectrum sun protection.

SHOP ELTAMD CLEAR TINTED SUNSCREEN

Other SPFs Worth Trying

Reverses Sun Damage

Isdin Eryfotona Ageless Tinted Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50

Zero Whitecast

Coppertone Every Tone Invisible Finish Hydrating UV Defense Face Sunscreen SPF 60+

For the Face and Scalp

Brush On Block SPF 30 Mineral Powder Sunscreen

Now 11% Off

Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Women’s Health and has nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like red light therapy for hair growth and LED face masks, into easy-to-understand guides. Saunders takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, such as strengthening shampoos and body washes for dry skin on our site.
Previously, she was the beauty editor at Best Products where she tested quite literally thousands of launches for her quarterly column and the Best New Beauty Awards package. She also launched the beauty and wellness coverage at NBC News and contributed to CNN, Cosmopolitan, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, and Harper’s BAZAAR.
You can follow her on Instagram to stay in the loop on her product testing adventures.