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UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Sun ProtectionChemical Sunscreen

UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 — Reddit Reviews

by EltaMD

81nextscore206 verdicts

Updated October 13, 2026

5% niacinamide SPF 46; Reddit loves it, studies find niacinamide helps acne.

What the community says

Backed by 57 studies

A lightweight SPF 46 hybrid with 5% niacinamide, built for oily, acne-prone routines and makeup. Redditors call it HG material, and studies found topical niacinamide can clear acne comparably to clindamycin. Niacinamide-sensitive or rosacea-prone skin can flare.

From Reddit

Backed by 22 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 4 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • Lightweight, serum-like hybrid SPF 46
  • 5% niacinamide; community credits fewer breakouts
  • Sits well under makeup after a 10–15 minute set

Watch out for

  • Price is rough for the small bottle
  • Niacinamide triggers redness, itchy bumps, or breakouts for reactive users
  • Pills or leaves a cast on some skin, especially with layers

Product details

Where to buy

What the science says vs. what Reddit says

  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    On Reddit: Greaseball-free mornings matter to very oily users, who say it doesn’t clog pores or leave them looking greasy. 29 mentions

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies

    On Reddit: After Florida swims, it keeps facial tanning at bay, while niacinamide helps lighten pigmentation. 7 mentions

    What the studies found
    • All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • On its own, it reduced facial darkening and made skin look lighter than a placebo
    • It also improved dark spots linked with sun damage in one clinical trial
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 9 studies

  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 282 mentions across 22 threads

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 on Reddit, in one place — 22 threads from r/SkincareAddiction, r/30PlusSkinCare and 4 more, summarized.

“I changed my sunscreen to Elta MD UV clear around 2 weeks ago.”

Positive

“My skin has been loving it and it feels more ‘elegant’ (idk the exact term) than the LRP one.”

Positive

“I really like the Elta MD UV clear sunscreen too.”

Positive
6.8k

“EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 sunscreen.”

Positive

“I do wear sunscreen every day.”

Positive

“Yes, sunscreen every day!”

Positive

“EltaMD UV Clear.”

Positive

“Amazing, HG sunscreen under makeup.”

Positive

“Not sticky, not chemical, no smell. 💯”

Positive

“EltaMD UV Clear is formulated specifically for acne- and rosacea-prone skin”

Mentioned

“Someone with oily as hell skin and acne lmk which of these worked for you.”

Mentioned

“I have oily and acne prone skin.”

Mentioned

“I'm an EltaMD lover, but that's limited to their UV Skin Recovery (green tint), UV Clear, and the UV Daily tinted.”

Mentioned

“UV Clear”

Mentioned

“I'm an EltaMD lover”

Mentioned

“although I usually use EltaMD on face”

Positive

“also why Elta MD is not here? :D”

Positive

“I’ve done the coppertone on face frequently also with no issues.”

Positive

Other variants in this line

Same formula family — here’s what changes between them.

Dupes & Alternatives

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