EltaMD UV Clear sunscreen: how to choose and use it

What should you check on the UV Clear bottle?

Use the label on the exact UV Clear formula you are buying to check its active ingredients, full ingredient list, application directions and water resistance. If you buy sunscreen outside the United States, read that product's label rather than assuming its directions match a US bottle. The front of the bottle can make an introduction, but the label has to handle the details.3

What do SPF and broad spectrum mean?

SPF, short for sun protection factor, mainly measures protection against UVB, the ultraviolet rays that cause sunburn. Broad spectrum means protection against both UVB and UVA. UVA reaches deeper into the skin, and sun exposure contributes to premature aging and skin cancer. Look for both the SPF number and broad spectrum wording rather than treating either one as the whole answer.234

Sunscreen is for preventing sun damage, not waiting for a visible cosmetic result. Regular broad spectrum sunscreen use, together with other sun protection measures, helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. No sunscreen completely blocks ultraviolet radiation, so a hat, protective clothing and shade still matter.2

How do you apply it?

Use these general sunscreen steps alongside the directions on your UV Clear bottle.

1. 1Apply before going outside. General FDA directions specify 15 minutes before sun exposure.
2. 2Cover exposed skin generously and evenly, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Include your face, ears, neck and hairline, plus any other skin not covered by clothing.
3. 3Use enough for the area you are covering. About one ounce is a whole body amount for an average adult or child, not a face only dose.
4. 4Reapply at least every two hours outdoors, and more often when swimming or sweating.
5. 5Reapply after towel drying or when sunscreen has rubbed off. Use an SPF lip balm for your lips.

A thin application reduces the protection sunscreen provides. A higher SPF is not permission to apply less or spend longer in the sun. SPF measures protection against an amount of ultraviolet exposure, not a number of safe hours outdoors.35

Can you use UV Clear for swimming or exercise?

For swimming or exercise that makes you sweat, use a sunscreen explicitly labeled water resistant. Water resistance claims specify either 40 or 80 minutes of protection while swimming or sweating. If your UV Clear bottle has no water resistance claim, choose a sunscreen that does for those activities. No sunscreen is waterproof, and even water resistant sunscreen needs reapplication after leaving the water or towel drying.25

How do you choose for acne prone or sensitive skin?

Choose a sunscreen formulated for your skin type. For acne prone skin, look for noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic wording. For sensitive skin, look for a sensitive skin label. Hypoallergenic means a lower risk of an allergic reaction, not that an allergic reaction is impossible. Use those label details to narrow your choice rather than treating a product name as a promise about how your skin will respond.6

Using moisturizer with sunscreen is fine. A combined moisturizer and sunscreen should still offer broad spectrum protection and SPF 30 or higher. Choose within your budget rather than assuming a more expensive skincare product gives better results.6

Who needs extra care?

If you take medication, ask your health care professional whether it increases sun sensitivity and what sun precautions you need. For babies younger than six months, keep them out of direct sunlight and ask a doctor before applying sunscreen. People of every skin tone need sun protection, including on cloudy days.23

If you get sunburned, stay out of the sun until the redness has gone. Seek medical help if you feel unwell or your skin swells badly or blisters. Check your skin monthly, and have a health care provider assess new or changing spots or moles.45

How should you store it, and when should you replace it?

Protect your sunscreen container from excessive heat and direct sunlight. Outside, keep it in the shade or wrap it in a towel. Replace sunscreen that has passed its expiration date. If there is no expiration date, discard it three years after purchase; if you do not know how old it is, discard it.3