UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 — Reddit Reviews
by EltaMD
Updated October 7, 2026
Hydrating SPF 40 with zinc oxide and petrolatum; dewy, sometimes irritating.
What the community says
A combo sunscreen with zinc oxide, octinoxate, petrolatum, and sodium hyaluronate that people use like a morning moisturizer. It suits dry or dehydration-prone skin and wears fine under makeup. Rosacea-prone faces report stinging, bumps, and a heavy film.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
- Can sting rosacea-prone, easily irritated skin
- Some acne-prone users report bumps and breakouts
- Feels a bit thick and leaves a film
Product details
Concerns
Use caution
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says
Skin Barrier
Some evidence
Petrolatum: 13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found it helped the skin barrier
- It often helped dry, rough, or itchy skin look and feel better
- It helped the skin's protective layer heal faster after damage in some studies
- It could lower water loss through the skin, even after a single use
- Some studies found no clear difference for diaper rash or irritated skin
Eczema
Some evidence
Petrolatum: 8 studies tested it on its own. See all 11 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found it helped eczema or dry, fragile skin linked with eczema
- It often improved dryness, helped the skin hold more water, and lowered water loss through the skin
- Some studies found calmer skin, with less scaliness and better overall skin changes
- It worked about as well as some other barrier creams in one clinical trial
- Some studies found it worked less well than certain other treatments
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 29 mentions across 16 threads
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 on Reddit, in one place — 16 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/tretinoin and 3 more, summarized.
“I feel like their UV Daily is more popular and I wish they'd included it.”
Mentioned
“their UV Daily is more popular”
Mentioned
“Elta UV Daily tinted and Epionce Tinted SPF are what I keep repurchasing.”
Positive
“or EltaMD tinted sunscreen for a more sheer look”
Positive
“Elta MD or Colorscience!”
Positive
“then apply elta md uv daily 40 spf sunscreen.”
Mentioned
“Is the sunscreen causing this?”
Mentioned
“thank you for the kind words 💙. i just started using this sunscreen last week, might be the culprit”
Mentioned
“I use EltaMD as well, I like the Daily one.”
Mentioned
“I’ve been using the EltaMD one for years and really like it!”
Mentioned
“Elta MD!”
Mentioned
“I then used UV Daily for close to 10 years”
Positive
“but recently it’s become irritating and I’m unsure why.”
Positive
“Some have said there is a recent ingredient change?”
Positive
“When it comes to sunscreen I’m still having issues finding the right one that doesn’t irritate me.”
Mentioned
“But regular spf I have on hand would be EltaMD UV Daily 40”
Mentioned
“or La Roche Posay Liquid Mineral SPF.”
Mentioned
Dupes & Alternatives
Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics SPF 50+
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Skin1004
Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum
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Beauty of Joseon
Relief Sun Aqua-Fresh: Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++
Better for Sun Protection
7 shared traits
503 mentions
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+
Better for Sun Protection
7 shared traits
354 mentions