Head to Head
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 vs EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40
UV Clear and UV Daily share a filter pairing and a pump. They differ on skin type, moisture and SPF. Here is how to choose.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
The oil free pump lotion built for sensitive, blemish prone faces.
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40
The moisturizing sibling, with hyaluronic acid for normal to dry skin.
Where They Differ
Skin type and moisture
UV Clear is published as an oil free lotion for sensitive and acne prone skin, with niacinamide in the formula. UV Daily is published for dry, normal and combination skin and adds sodium hyaluronate for a moisture boost, with a richer base that includes petrolatum. In practice, Clear feels like a light lotion and Daily feels like a light moisturizer.
SPF and finish
Clear carries the higher published rating, broad spectrum SPF 46 against Daily at SPF 40. Both finish sheer with no white cast and both wear under makeup. Clear sets a touch more matte on oily zones, while Daily keeps a dewier surface that dry skin prefers and oily skin may find shiny by afternoon.
The Specification, Side by Side
| Measure | EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 | EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 |
|---|---|---|
| SPF | 46, broad spectrum | 40, broad spectrum |
| Filter type | Zinc oxide 9.0 percent with octinoxate 7.5 percent | Zinc oxide 9.0 percent with octinoxate 7.5 percent |
| Finish | Sheer, transparent, untinted lotion | Sheer, moisturizing, untinted lotion |
| Size | 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) pump | 1.7 fl oz pump |
| Water resistance | Not water resistant | Not water resistant |
Choose EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 if
- Your skin is oily, combination or blemish prone
- You want the higher SPF of the two
- You prefer an oil free lotion feel
Choose EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 if
- Your skin is normal to dry and often feels tight
- You want moisturizer and SPF in one pump
- You like a dewier finish under makeup
Questions, Answered
Can I use UV Clear in summer and UV Daily in winter?
Yes, that is a common pattern. Clear suits humid months and oilier phases of skin, while Daily suits drier months when the extra moisture earns its place. Both share the same filter pairing, so the switch is about comfort, not protection style.
Keep Researching
Every page in the Face Sunscreens edit.
- 01Face Sunscreens: the hubHub
- 02Best Face Sunscreens 2027Best of
- 03Tinted Face SunscreensGuide
- 04Face Sunscreens Under MakeupGuide
- 05Mineral Face SunscreensGuide
- 06EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 ReviewReview
- 07Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50 ReviewReview
- 08Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50 ReviewReview
- 09Colorescience Face Shield Flex SPF 50 vs Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50Comparison
- 10Face Sunscreen Buying GuideBuying guide
- 11Face Sunscreen Care and KeepingCare
Disclosure: links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Eclat Press earns from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Rankings are never sold. See our affiliate disclosure and methodology.