Elta MD UV Physical Review (tinted sunscreen)
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free skin care · Wed Dec 29, 2010 11:07 am

I've recently discovered Elta MD UV Physical and I love this product. It has 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide. I'm actually using it as a foundation/concealer, not a sunscreen. It comes in a 3 oz squeeze tube and it's priced $22-27. I’m sure some people can (and do) use this as their sole sunscreen but of course that’s not going to be me but I do like that I get a little additional protection when I’m putting on make up. Somehow it’s perfect on everyone in my family’s skin- I’m light-medium with warm undertones, my sister is super light with pink undertones, and my mom is medium warm.

I first put on a generous layer of untinted physical sunscreen (burnout) and then over that a light layer of the elta md wherever I want the coverage- around my eyes and in the t zone. I'm putting it on like make up. I don't wear any other make up. It looks like sheer foundation and it's really nice, there's only one tint and I think it would work on light to medium skin tones.

When considering that it’s a make up, it’s priced really well for the amount. I don’t like that they list the ingredients list in alphabetical order but it’s only rated a 3 on the EWG and I’m more tolerant of the ingredients in make up. It just blends really well, it makes it look like you’re not wearing make up but it makes your skin look just a little bit better, it’s enough that I don’t feel like I need concealer for the under eye area. And if you do want to wear make up it’ll serve as a primer.

http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-UV-Physical-SPF-85-Gram/dp/B0012XO2W6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:13 am

I have this as well. It works well in the Texas sun!
My derm gave it to me after my upper and lower bleph and it worked well.
It is heavy and I prefer the Revision (which EDS carries) to this one as it is a lighter consistancy.

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:18 am

I read some reviews online (forums and blogs) and this sounds good if your skin is dry, however many people with normal or oily skin found it to be heavy and greasy feeling?

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:06 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

I read some reviews online (forums and blogs) and this sounds good if your skin is dry, however many people with normal or oily skin found it to be heavy and greasy feeling?

I don't think it's heavy or greasy. Then again, I don't use that much of it. I love burnout and a lot of people here thought it was too drying so that probably means I have normal skin... Confused

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:16 pm

AnnieR wrote:

I have this as well. It works well in the Texas sun!
My derm gave it to me after my upper and lower bleph and it worked well.
It is heavy and I prefer the Revision (which EDS carries) to this one as it is a lighter consistancy.

I found an ingredients list and it has chemical sunscreens and only 2% zinc oxide, so it's not at all similar (I also couldn't find price anywhere)

Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45 Active Ingredients:
Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Zinc Oxide 2%.

Other Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45 Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Betula Alba (White Birch) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Plankton Extract, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Ubiquinone, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

http://www.ariva.com/revision-skincare-intellishade-spf-45-1.html

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:20 pm

Nimue wrote:

DarkMoon wrote:

I read some reviews online (forums and blogs) and this sounds good if your skin is dry, however many people with normal or oily skin found it to be heavy and greasy feeling?

I don't think it's heavy or greasy. Then again, I don't use that much of it. I love burnout and a lot of people here thought it was too drying so that probably means I have normal skin... Confused

True we saw the same with Burnout some felt it was tacky, greasy others said it was drying. I have no issues with it and I know I have very normal skin!
I think sunscreens are very hard to pin down as most are so extremely individual. Smile

free skin care · Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:05 pm

DarkMoon wrote:

True we saw the same with Burnout some felt it was tacky, greasy others said it was drying. I have no issues with it and I know I have very normal skin!
I think sunscreens are very hard to pin down as most are so extremely individual. Smile

Whoa whoa whoa! Very Happy

I don't think anyone said burnout was greasy, the only ones who didn't like it thought it was too tacky and/or drying. Another possible reason why I don't find the elta heavy is that I use so little of it.

But yeah sunscreens are by far the most difficult products to find and like. I actually owe this find to my sister, she's the one who has been exploring make up with physical sunscreen content.

And I'd like to note that this is not a rave, the only rave I've ever done was for burnout. I do not think that the elta is a perfect product because of the ingredients and especially because the ingredients are listed in alphabetical order so it's not a normal ingredients list.

free skin care · Fri Dec 31, 2010 8:04 am

Nimue wrote:

Another possible reason why I don't find the elta heavy is that I use so little of it.

So, are you not using the recommended 1/4 tsp on your face, and if not are you using another sunscreen on top of it, Nimue?

free skin care · Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:37 am

Yes, I do know they are very differant. I should have gone on to say I wasn't comparing them, so much as alternating them (my mistake). I use them at differant times of the year and in differant places on my face.
The Revision is not heavy enough as a sunscreen alone, so i use it more as a moisturiser with built-in sunscreen and as a daily. They remind me of each other in color, both go on my skin and blend in well.
The Elta is perfect for the beach/Texas sun as a full-fledged face sunscreen, but I also use it on my nose everyday for extra help.
My hubby also borrows it occasionally when he golfs as it blends in and you can't really see the color on him.
I love it for the face and use just regular sunscreens for the body.

free skin care · Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:34 am

rileygirl wrote:

Nimue wrote:

Another possible reason why I don't find the elta heavy is that I use so little of it.

So, are you not using the recommended 1/4 tsp on your face, and if not are you using another sunscreen on top of it, Nimue?

Yes, except under it. I apply the full amount of burnout, and then over that I apply the elta. I'm not really relying on the elta for protection, but it's a nice bonus.

free skin care · Fri Dec 31, 2010 11:45 am

Nimue wrote:

Yes, except under it. I apply the full amount of burnout, and then over that I apply the elta. I'm not really relying on the elta for protection, but it's a nice bonus.

Thanks, Nimue!

free skin care · Sun Jan 09, 2011 9:10 pm

I've recently started using this ss too. I thought I had ordered the non-tinted, but received the tinted version. But I am really liking it.

Nimue, like you - I've been using it in lieu of foundation... and love how it evens out my skin. I have normal/dry skin and don't find it greasy personally. I had been using Clarins and Shiseido's. But this has been my go to all winter. I hope I like it as well come summer.

After reading this thread, may I ask - is this not considered a strong/high enough SPF to be used alone? I'm starting to incorporate Renova so I want to be extra covered with SPF. And this Elta is all physical/no chemical correct? I think the ingredients listed earlier were for a Revision product..?

Thanks and Happy New Year!

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:02 am

Nimue,

I would like to know it too if I can use Elta alone as I am looking for a physical sunscreen which is water resistant & without whitecast.

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:47 am

I also use it as a sunscreen alone, many times just on my nose when I am working out in the yard.

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:10 am

You *could* use the Elta as your sole sunscreen. I certainly think it's better than many other sunscreens out there. It depends if you consider 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide enough protection for you. Also anything that's tinted like make up I feel like we're not going to be applying enough of.

I feel more comfortable with more zinc oxide (more than 15%) so I layer it over burnout sunscreen, which has 18.6% zinc oxide. And if you layer it's a lot easier to meet the 1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon of sunscreen we're supposed to be applying.

For winter, that's probably sunscreen overkill but the good thing is that zinc oxide is beneficial for skin so I feel fine applying it at night.

Here are the ingredients:

Active Ingredients:9.0% Zinc Oxide 7.0% Titanium Dioxide
Inactive Ingredients (alphabetical order): Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Hydrated Silica, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Octyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Perfluoronyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate 13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Purified Water, Quercitin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Selenite, Soft Tex Yellow Iron Oxide-C337773, Soft Tex Red Iron Oxide-C337775, Soft Tex Russett Iron Oxide-C337721, Soft Tex Black Iron Oxide-C337751, Thioctic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane.

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 11:14 am

You *could* use the Elta as your sole sunscreen. I certainly think it's better than many other sunscreens out there. It depends if you consider 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide enough protection for you. Also anything that's tinted like make up I feel like we're not going to be applying enough of.

I feel more comfortable with more zinc oxide (more than 15%) so I layer it over burnout sunscreen, which has 18.6% zinc oxide. And if you layer it's a lot easier to meet the 1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon of sunscreen we're supposed to be applying.

For winter, that's probably sunscreen overkill but the good thing is that zinc oxide is beneficial for skin so I feel fine applying it at night.

Here are the ingredients:

Active Ingredients:9.0% Zinc Oxide 7.0% Titanium Dioxide
Inactive Ingredients (alphabetical order): Aluminum Hydroxide, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Dimethicone/Methicone Copolymer, Hydrated Silica, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Lecithin, Linoleic Acid, Octyl Stearate, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Perfluoronyl Dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate 13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Purified Water, Quercitin, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Selenite, Soft Tex Yellow Iron Oxide-C337773, Soft Tex Red Iron Oxide-C337775, Soft Tex Russett Iron Oxide-C337721, Soft Tex Black Iron Oxide-C337751, Thioctic Acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane.

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 12:19 pm

Thanks Nimue!

Now that the Devita SS has 19% ZO, I'm curious how you'd compare it to the Burnout you like.
I don't think you've tried the new Devita formulation (correct me if wrong of course).. But since we both like the Elta, I'd love to know if you have a preference and why between the Devita and Burnout.
Sorry for all the questions! The quest for a great ss, let alone possible HG, is overwhelming. Smile

Thanks again.
Oh, and is the Burnout the Eco-Sensitive ZO SPF 32?

free skin care · Mon Jan 10, 2011 5:11 pm

Amyalex wrote:

Thanks Nimue!

Now that the Devita SS has 19% ZO, I'm curious how you'd compare it to the Burnout you like.
I don't think you've tried the new Devita formulation (correct me if wrong of course).. But since we both like the Elta, I'd love to know if you have a preference and why between the Devita and Burnout.
Sorry for all the questions! The quest for a great ss, let alone possible HG, is overwhelming. Smile

Thanks again.
Oh, and is the Burnout the Eco-Sensitive ZO SPF 32?

The new Devita is in the mail. With the old one, I didn't like how it stung my eyes and how it had no water resistance. Burnout makes me feel more comfortable/protected. My favorite version of burnout is the kids one, but they're all good.

Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:39 am

I used both versions of Elta sunscreen - the tinted and also the regular version (I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but I wanted to try it because it had niacinamide.)

The tinted felt a little tacky, and just had a weird consistency. It also had a weird smell, and I would find myself sniffing randomly throughout my day - lol! It just felt odd and greyish on my skin, and it started to clog me a little, though to be fair, Tio2 clogs me.

I don't quite remember why I didn't like the clear version... I think it was because it was shiny.

free skin care · Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:44 am

Can't believe we're talking about the same product. Well if you don't like how it looks and feels then there's no reason to use it because I like it precisely because of how it looks and feels.

Out of curiosity, is there any physical sunscreen that you do like?

Eep wrote:

I used both versions of Elta sunscreen - the tinted and also the regular version (I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but I wanted to try it because it had niacinamide.)

The tinted felt a little tacky, and just had a weird consistency. It also had a weird smell, and I would find myself sniffing randomly throughout my day - lol! It just felt odd and greyish on my skin, and it started to clog me a little, though to be fair, Tio2 clogs me.

I don't quite remember why I didn't like the clear version... I think it was because it was shiny.

free skin care · Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:27 pm

And the description says "Natural mineral coverage is combined with proprietary Intellishade Technology to provide flawless tinted coverage for every skin tone"

Indeed, trust, but verify!

Nimue wrote:

I found an ingredients list and it has chemical sunscreens and only 2% zinc oxide, so it's not at all similar (I also couldn't find price anywhere)

Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45 Active Ingredients:
Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Zinc Oxide 2%.

Other Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45 Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Cyclopentasiloxane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Sorbitol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Betula Alba (White Birch) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Plankton Extract, Beeswax, Dimethicone, Squalane, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Ubiquinone, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol Chlorphenesin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides.

http://www.ariva.com/revision-skincare-intellishade-spf-45-1.html

free skin care · Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:30 am

All I can say is that it did the trick down in Playa Del Carmen for my sos'n wedding. Not a sunburn on the face, perfect coverage. I didn't use any foundation over it either. Being fair-skinned, its hard to find a keeper for me but Elta is.

free skin care · Sat Jan 15, 2011 12:10 pm

AnnieR wrote:

All I can say is that it did the trick down in Playa Del Carmen for my sos'n wedding. Not a sunburn on the face, perfect coverage. I didn't use any foundation over it either. Being fair-skinned, its hard to find a keeper for me but Elta is.

AnnieR, do you have any imperfections to cover ( like redness or veins)? Most of Amazon reviewers said that the coverage that Elta provides is not enough.

free skin care · Sun Jan 16, 2011 3:09 pm

I don't have much, just a few veins. Most have disappeared after my IPL's. I do have some occasional redness as I have rosacea. It covers just as well for me as Revision, but just has a heavier consistancy.

Tue Jan 18, 2011 9:52 pm

Nimue wrote:

Can't believe we're talking about the same product. Well if you don't like how it looks and feels then there's no reason to use it because I like it precisely because of how it looks and feels.

Out of curiosity, is there any physical sunscreen that you do like?

I've been trying various physical sunscreens, and I haven't found any that I quite like so far, or would call my "HG". I'm still using my Avene ss (before it got reformulated with avobenzone) daily just because it is the most tolerable on my skin and I have never burned or freckled with it (esp. in the California sun!) - it does get very shiny/greasy, however, and I do want to switch to a purely physical sunscreen, hence why I've been trying many.

I have a sample of the Marie Veronique moisturizing face screen on its way (20.6 % non-nano zinc oxide) and I have high hopes for it even though the ingredients list looks a little rich for my skin.

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