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EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40.

EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
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Sunscreen
About this product

An all-mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, available in tinted and untinted formulas, enriched with squalane and antioxidants.

Full ingredients

Zinc Oxide, Ginger Root, Saccharide Isomerate, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Squalane, Water, Coco-Caprylate/​Caprate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Phenoxyethanol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Glycerin, Glyceryl Behenate, Xanthan Gum, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/​Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Dimethicone, Polysorbate 60, Ethylene/​Methacrylate Copolymer, Mica

More from EltaMD 23 products · Guru Score 92% →

Guru Score

82%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

What they liked

  • Hydrating mineral formula with squalane
  • Sheer application for a mineral sunscreen
  • Glowy finish without greasiness

What they flagged

  • Stings around the eyes
  • Not water-resistant
  • White cast on skin

What the gurus are saying

This mineral sunscreen earns consistent praise for hydration and anti-aging benefits, especially for dry or sensitive skin, thanks to squalane and antioxidants like vitamin C and ginger root extract. The tinted version offers gentle color correction for redness without niacinamide, which matters for those whose skin reacts poorly to it despite its redness-fighting reputation. The main trade-off: it carries a slight white cast on the untinted formula, stings if it reaches the eyes, and lacks water resistance, so it is not suited for swimming or heavy sweating.
Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take February 2026

Type

SunscreenCream

Key actives

Vitamin CVitamin ESPFSqualane

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.

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✓Yay
"I'm going to be using UV Restore from EltaMD today because this is going to be a little bit more cosmetically elegant, but it's still a very moisturizing, very hydrating sunscreen. It's a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide, but it has natural squalane in it, so it is going to hydrate very well."
✓Yay
"They also have the UV restore, which is going on sale. This is amazing for anti-aging."
✓Yay
"In which case, if you're looking for a mineral niacinamide-free sunscreen, I would suggest the EltaMD UV Restore SPF 40. It comes in either a non-tinted or a formula with a green tint to offer color correction for redness, which is really great because a lot of people who struggle with redness, maybe rosacea, they find that a lot of sunscreens that are marketed to them have niacinamide because it's good for redness, but maybe that's the ingredient that aggravates your rosacea."
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All 4 takes from Dr Dray
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"In which case, if you're looking for a mineral niacinamide-free sunscreen, I would suggest the EltaMD UV Restore SPF 40. It comes in either a non-tinted or a formula with a green tint to offer color correction for redness, which is really great because a lot of people who struggle with redness, maybe rosacea, they find that a lot of sunscreens that are marketed to them have niacinamide because it's good for redness, but maybe that's the ingredient that aggravates your rosacea."
Sunscreen I use & USED UP| Dermatologist @DrDrayzday
"Obviously it's all mineral so there will be a white cast. They do make a tinted version that may offer protection against pro-pigmenting wavelengths of visible light that lead to [...] hyperpigmentation because it has iron oxides. [...] It doesn't pill and the formula is vegan. [...] This is very good as well, but I wouldn't suggest it for outdoor sports since it's not water resistant. [...] For all mineral formulas from EltaMD, my favorite is their UV Physical Tinted, which I prefer."
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"I've recommended their sunscreens for four years and they're fantastic. I particularly like the UV Restore. This is an all-mineral formula, [...] and for an all-mineral sunscreen, the non-tinted version actually goes on relatively sheer. [...] If you have a medium to pale skin tone, for an all-mineral non-tinted sunscreen, this would be a good one. It's vegan [...] and it has squalane in it, which is nice and lightweight."
QUITTING SKIN CARE? | Skin care fasting | Dr Dray
"Today I'm wearing the EltaMD UV Restorer, which is a little on the casting side. It is an all mineral non-tinted sunscreen with zinc and titanium dioxide in it. [...] There is a slight cast, but for an all mineral formula it's pretty minimal. These sunscreens have a very short ingredient list, so if you are dealing with rosacea or perioral dermatitis and you're trying to find a sunscreen that would be well tolerated, I do suggest this."
✓Yay
"EltaMD UV Restore is you can't beat this. This is a really amazing sunscreen. I use that one a lot too, but it is more pricey."
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"EltaMD UV Restore is you can't beat this. This is a really amazing sunscreen. I use that one a lot too, but it is more pricey."
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"I love this for dry skin types and anti-aging."
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"This is my pick for the most hydrating sunscreen that doesn't give you a glow when you put it on. It doesn't give you a matte look on the skin, it's just really hydrating and feels nice on the skin. This has squalane in it which makes it a bit different because it really helps restore that skin barrier and maintain the moisture and that's why it really feels hydrating on the skin. This has both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in it so this is a great option."
Which EltaMD Sunscreen Should You Buy? | My Review + 20% OFF Sale
"UV Restore is my pick if you have really dry skin or damaged skin or you are really into anti-aging and want a great anti-aging sunscreen. [...] The key ingredients that make this one unique are ginger root extract for redness correction and discoloration in aging skin, saccharide isomerate for dark spots, and a lot of different antioxidants. It has vitamin C and vitamin E and squalane to restore the moisture barrier."

What the evidence says.

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

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

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

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40?

An all-mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, available in tinted and untinted formulas, enriched with squalane and antioxidants.

Is EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 worth it?

Yes. All 4 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 82%.

What is EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40's Guru Score?

EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 holds a Guru Score of 82%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 best for?

EltaMD UV Restore Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

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