{"product_id":"tinted-mineral-sunscreen-eltamd-uv-physical-spf-41","title":"Tinted Mineral Sunscreen | EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41, 3 oz","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 is a \u003cstrong\u003etinted mineral sunscreen\u003c\/strong\u003e for the face. Its only active ingredients are \u003cstrong\u003e9% zinc oxide\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e7% titanium dioxide\u003c\/strong\u003e, with no chemical filters at all. The light tint comes from iron oxides, which take care of the white cast mineral sunscreens are known for. It's fragrance-free, water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, and comes in a 3 oz tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's the sunscreen we pick for pregnancy in Mindy's guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/pregnancy-advice\/the-best-skincare-products-for-pregnancy\"\u003epregnancy-safe skin care products\u003c\/a\u003e, for two reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMineral-only, which is the easy call in pregnancy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe American Academy of Dermatology suggests a mineral sunscreen during pregnancy, meaning zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. Those two are also the only filters the FDA proposes to recognize as safe and effective. For the rest, including octinoxate, avobenzone and oxybenzone, the FDA says it needs more data, and it's careful to add that this doesn't make them unsafe. Any sunscreen beats none. But if you'd rather not think about it for nine months, a \u003cstrong\u003esunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide\u003c\/strong\u003e and nothing else settles the question.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe tint matters for melasma\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelasma, the patchy brown \"mask of pregnancy\" on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip, is driven by hormones and darkened by light. UV is part of it, but visible light plays a role too, and ordinary sunscreen filters don't block much visible light. Iron oxides do. That's why the AAD's \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.aad.org\/public\/diseases\/a-z\/melasma-treatment\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003emelasma guidance\u003c\/a\u003e says dermatologists often suggest a sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide, and suggests a tinted sunscreen if a white cast keeps you from wearing one. UV Physical has all three.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGood to know\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere's one shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e Amazon lists it for fair to medium skin. On very fair skin it can look slightly orange, and on deep skin tones it can look ashy, so it isn't the right \u003cstrong\u003etinted sunscreen\u003c\/strong\u003e for everyone. If the shade doesn't work for you, an untinted mineral sunscreen still covers the pregnancy question, just without the visible-light help for melasma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's thicker than a chemical sunscreen, as mineral formulas usually are. Smooth it in rather than rubbing hard, and reapply every two hours outdoors, or after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy women love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMineral-only:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide, no chemical filters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTinted with iron oxides:\u003c\/strong\u003e no white cast, plus help against the visible light that darkens melasma\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance-free:\u003c\/strong\u003e useful when pregnancy has made you sensitive to scent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDoubles as light coverage:\u003c\/strong\u003e evens out skin tone on days you skip foundation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater-resistant for 40 minutes:\u003c\/strong\u003e holds up on a walk in the heat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSPF 41, broad spectrum:\u003c\/strong\u003e above the SPF 30 the AAD recommends\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eBest for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWomen who want a \u003cstrong\u003emineral-only sunscreen in pregnancy\u003c\/strong\u003e and don't want to read labels for nine months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone with \u003cstrong\u003emelasma\u003c\/strong\u003e, or prone to it, where a tinted sunscreen does more than a sheer one\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFair to medium skin tones\u003c\/strong\u003e, which the single shade suits best\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDays you want \u003cstrong\u003esunscreen and light coverage in one step\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot ideal for very fair or deep skin.\u003c\/strong\u003e The one shade can look orange or ashy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot the pick if you want a sheer, untinted finish.\u003c\/strong\u003e EltaMD UV Clear is sheerer but contains octinoxate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eRelated reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMindy's guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/pregnancy-advice\/the-best-skincare-products-for-pregnancy\"\u003epregnancy-safe skin care products\u003c\/a\u003e builds a five-step routine around this sunscreen and explains which ingredients to skip, from retinoids to hydroquinone. And her guide to \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/blogs\/pregnancy-advice\/10-common-pregnancy-symptoms-and-how-to-relieve-them\"\u003e10 common pregnancy symptoms and how to relieve them\u003c\/a\u003e covers the rest of what your body is doing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore more\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis sunscreen sits in our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/pregnancy-safe-skincare\"\u003epregnancy-safe skincare\u003c\/a\u003e collection, curated by Mindy Motta, FNP-C, inside \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/collections\/pregnancy-essentials\"\u003epregnancy essentials for every trimester\u003c\/a\u003e. If you'd rather have an untinted, sheerer formula and don't mind one chemical filter, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/products\/eltamd-uv-clear-face-sunscreen-spf-46-oil-free-for-face-with-zinc-oxide-dermatologist-recommended-sunscreen-lotion-1-7-oz-pump\"\u003eEltaMD UV Clear SPF 46\u003c\/a\u003e is the brand's other bestseller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eA note from Mindy on melasma and sunscreen\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelasma is one of the pregnancy changes people find most upsetting, because it's on your face and nobody warns you about it. So here's the honest version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSunscreen is the treatment you have right now.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hydroquinone, the usual first-line cream, is generally avoided in pregnancy because so much of it absorbs through the skin. That leaves prevention, and prevention means sunscreen every single day, including cloudy days and days you're mostly indoors near a window. A tinted mineral sunscreen is the best version of that, because the iron oxides block light that plain sunscreen lets through. Add a wide-brimmed hat when you're outside for long.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelasma often fades after delivery.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not always completely, and not fast, but for many women it lightens over the months after the baby arrives. If it doesn't, there are good treatments once you're done with pregnancy, and azelaic acid is one you can ask your provider about even now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd please don't let the hunt for the perfect sunscreen stop you wearing one. If this shade doesn't suit you, the right answer is a different mineral sunscreen, not none.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMindy Motta, FNP-C\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFAQs\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs EltaMD UV Physical safe for pregnancy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it's the type of sunscreen most often recommended in pregnancy. Its only active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the two filters the FDA proposes to recognize as safe and effective, and the American Academy of Dermatology suggests mineral sunscreens like this one while pregnant. It's also fragrance-free. As with any new product, check with your provider if you have a skin condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs EltaMD UV Physical a mineral sunscreen?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, it's mineral-only. The actives are 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide, with no chemical filters such as octinoxate, avobenzone or oxybenzone. The tint comes from iron oxides, which are pigments rather than sunscreen actives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEltaMD UV Physical vs UV Clear: which is better in pregnancy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUV Physical, if you want to stay mineral-only. UV Clear SPF 46 contains 9% zinc oxide but also 7.5% octinoxate, a chemical filter the FDA says needs more data, though it hasn't called it unsafe. UV Clear is sheerer and untinted, so some people prefer how it wears. UV Physical is tinted, mineral-only and better suited to melasma.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs tinted sunscreen better for melasma?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsually, yes. Melasma is darkened by visible light as well as UV, and most sunscreen filters block very little visible light. The iron oxides that give tinted sunscreens their color do block it. The AAD notes dermatologists often suggest a sunscreen with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and iron oxide for melasma, which is exactly this formula.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat sunscreen has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 contains both: 9% zinc oxide and 7% titanium dioxide. Using the two together is common in mineral sunscreens because they cover slightly different parts of the UV spectrum. This one also adds a tint, which hides the white cast titanium dioxide can leave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill the tint work on my skin tone?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes in one shade, listed for fair to medium skin. It blends well across that range, but it can look slightly orange on very fair skin and ashy on deep skin tones. If it doesn't match, choose another mineral sunscreen rather than skipping sunscreen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs EltaMD UV Physical water resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, for up to 40 minutes of swimming or sweating. Reapply after that, after towel drying, and at least every two hours when you're outdoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I wear it under makeup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It works alone as light coverage or as a base under makeup. Let it set for a minute or two first so foundation doesn't pill on top of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"EltaMD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50432724533386,"sku":"B00C8FVZZY","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0644\/1625\/2042\/files\/61eCDhebJ6L.jpg?v=1791843262","url":"https:\/\/awaitingthestork.com\/products\/tinted-mineral-sunscreen-eltamd-uv-physical-spf-41","provider":"Awaiting the Stork","version":"1.0","type":"link"}