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EltaMD · Sunscreens

UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40

$39·48 ml·Leave-on
94
Low concern

Why this score

Concern49 / 55
  • No ingredients carry meaningful, evidence-backed concern.

How much genuine, cited concern the ingredients carry, weighted by how much of each is likely present and whether the product stays on or rinses off.

Transparency20 / 20
  • No hidden fragrance blend.

Whether the full ingredient list, and any fragrance, are actually disclosed.

Formulation restraint25 / 25
  • No needless irritants or fragrance allergens for this product type.

Needless irritant or allergen load for the product type. A clean, purposeful formula scores well without any "free-from" theater.

Reviewed by PlainBody Editorial · Updated July 2026

What’s inside

Zinc OxideGenerally safe

A mineral UV filter that sits on the skin surface and reflects and scatters UV light. It is one of the best-studied sunscreen actives and is generally considered non-irritating and safe for use, including on sensitive skin.

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OctinoxateWatch if sensitive

A widely used UVB chemical filter with a long safety record at US-approved concentrations. Some lab and animal studies have raised questions about hormone activity and coral reef impact, which is why a few jurisdictions cap or restrict it, but human-relevant risk at labeled use levels is considered low by regulators.

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WaterGenerally safe

The base most products are built on. It carries the other ingredients and has no safety concern.

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PetrolatumCommonly feared, low concern

A time-tested occlusive that seals in moisture and helps damaged skin heal, widely used in dermatology for wound care. Cosmetic-grade petrolatum must meet purity standards that remove the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in crude sources, and it is considered one of the most effective and well-studied barrier ingredients available.

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Isopropyl PalmitateWatch if sensitive

A palm/coconut-derived fatty ester used to soften skin and help dissolve oil-soluble UV filters. It sits fairly high on lab comedogenicity scales, so some acne-prone users report clogged pores, though this does not translate into a broader safety concern for general use.

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DimethiconeCommonly feared, low concern

A silicone that gives a smooth, soft feel and helps hold water in the skin. Inert and well studied.

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Hyaluronic AcidGenerally safe

A humectant that holds water at the skin surface for a more hydrated look. No safety concern.

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Tocopheryl AcetateCommonly feared, low concern

A more stable, esterified form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant and skin-conditioning ingredient. It is a different substance from the vitamin E acetate implicated in vaping-related lung injury, which involved inhaling the oil, not applying it topically to skin.

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Below the 1% line

PhenoxyethanolCommonly feared, low concern

A widely used preservative, safe at the legal limit of 1% or less. Often the "paraben-free" replacement.

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Citric AcidGenerally safe

Used in tiny amounts to set a product to skin-friendly pH. No concern at those levels.

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Lower-concern alternatives

Same category, higher PlainScore.

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Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern ratings are evidence-graded and cited on each ingredient page. See how we score.