SPF Scout · Product record

EltaMD EltaMD UV Active

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 27 July 2026

What is listed

The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.

Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, water, caprylic/capric trigylceride, coco-caprylate/caprate, ethyl macadamiate, glycerin, sorbitan olivate, polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, C15-19 alkane, hydrogenated polyisobutene, sodium chloride, triethoxycaprylylsilane, silica, glyceryl beheanate, hydroxyacetophenone, polyglyceryl-2 isostearate, polyhydroxysearic acid, disteardimonium hectorite, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, hydrolyzed jojoba esters, xanthan gum, diemthicone, sclerotium gum, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, lecithin, pullulan, jojoba esters, polygonum aviculare extract, tocopherol, malic acid

32 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.

What each ingredient generally does

Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.

  • Zinc Oxide

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Colorant (adds colour)Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    A mineral UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, the core sun-protection job in this product. It also helps protect the skin surface and can add whiteness or opacity. On some labels it appears as CI 77947 when used for colour.

  • Titanium Dioxide

    Colorant (adds colour)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    Titanium Dioxide is a mineral UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also works as a white colorant and opacifier, adding whiteness and making the product less see-through. As a color additive it appears on labels as CI 77891.

  • Water

    Antiplaque (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    The base liquid that most of the other ingredients dissolve or spread into. It carries the formula and helps condition the skin surface.

  • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Occlusive (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light oil used as a solvent to dissolve other ingredients and as an occlusive that forms a layer helping hold in moisture. It can also add a bit of scent.

    listed as “caprylic/capric trigylceride”

  • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is an emollient that softens and smooths skin feel and conditions the skin. It gives the product a light, easy-spreading feel.

  • Ethyl Macadamiate

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A skin conditioning ingredient that helps keep skin soft and comfortable. On the label it may also appear tied to macadamia nut oil esters.

  • Glycerin

    Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Humectant (holds moisture)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Glycerin draws in and holds moisture while conditioning and protecting skin. It also dissolves other ingredients, adjusts thickness, and can add scent. On labels it may appear as glycerol.

  • Sorbitan Olivate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    An emulsifier that helps oil and water stay mixed so the product doesn't separate. This keeps the texture even and stable.

  • Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It holds the oily and watery parts together so the product stays uniform.

  • C15-19 Alkane

    Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light liquid solvent that dissolves other ingredients and helps them blend. It supports the formula spreading smoothly.

  • Hydrogenated Polyisobutene

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    An oily liquid that softens and smooths the skin feel while helping set the product's thickness. In practice it gives the formula a slip and body so it spreads and stays where you put it.

  • Sodium Chloride

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Oral care (CosIng functional class)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Common table salt, used here mainly to adjust the thickness of the formula. It can also act as a bulking agent to add body, and shows up in oral care products. On labels it's simply salt.

  • Triethoxycaprylylsilane

    Binder (holds the formula together)other

    A binding ingredient that helps hold the parts of the formula together. It is often used to coat and bind powders in a mix.

  • Silica

    Abrasive (physically scrubs)Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Anticaking (keeps powder free-flowing)Bulking agent (adds volume)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Silica is a fine mineral powder that soaks up excess moisture and oil, and adjusts how thick the product feels. It keeps powders from clumping, adds bulk, and can make a formula look more opaque. Its chemical name is silicon dioxide.

  • Glyceryl Behenate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Glyceryl Behenate softens and smooths skin feel. It also helps the oil and water parts mix and stay blended.

    listed as “glyceryl beheanate”

  • Hydroxyacetophenone

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)other

    An antioxidant that helps keep the formula from going off over time. In practice it protects the product's other ingredients from breaking down.

  • Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier, meaning it helps oil and water mix. In practice it keeps the oily and watery parts of the product blended into one smooth, stable lotion or cream.

  • Polyhydroxystearic Acid

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It keeps the oily and watery parts blended so the formula holds together.

    listed as “polyhydroxysearic acid”

  • Disteardimonium Hectorite

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick or thin the product is. It also works as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up against light exposure.

  • 1,2-Hexanediol

    Humectant (holds moisture)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A fluid that acts as a solvent, dissolving other ingredients so they blend evenly. It also conditions the skin, leaving it feeling smooth.

  • Caprylyl Glycol

    Deodorant (masks or reduces odour)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A multi-tasker that conditions skin and hair and acts as a deodorant. As an emollient it softens and smooths, leaving skin feeling conditioned.

  • Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters

    Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An ingredient that conditions skin and hair and forms a thin film. That film leaves a smooth coating on the surface and helps the product hold onto skin and strands.

  • Xanthan Gum

    Binder (holds the formula together)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel-like texture. It keeps oil and water mixed and stops the blend from separating, giving a stable, even feel.

  • Dimethicone

    Antifoaming (stops the formula foaming)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone that softens and smooths skin feel and forms a protective layer on the surface. It also cuts down foam during production, keeping the formula settled.

    listed as “diemthicone”

  • Sclerotium Gum

    Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    This is a gum that thickens the formula and keeps it stable, while also conditioning skin. It adjusts how thick the product is and keeps the blended parts from separating.

  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

    Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)other

    This is a chelating agent. It binds trace metals in the mix that could break the formula down over time.

  • Lecithin

    Antistatic (reduces static)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Lecithin helps oil and water mix and softens skin feel. That keeps the water and oil parts blended and smooths the skin, and it also reduces static. It shows up on labels simply as Lecithin.

  • Pullulan

    Binder (holds the formula together)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)

    A polysaccharide that forms films and binds ingredients together. It leaves a thin coating on the skin and helps hold the formula's parts in place.

  • Jojoba Esters

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Moisturising (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Soothing (CosIng functional class)

    A skin-conditioning ingredient that softens and smooths, adds moisture, and has a soothing effect. In practice it helps the product feel comfortable and keeps skin from feeling dry.

  • Polygonum Aviculare Extract

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An extract of the knotweed herb that works as an emollient, softening and smoothing skin feel. It helps the product leave a smoother finish on the skin.

  • Tocopherol

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Occlusive (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant, which helps keep the formula from going off. It also conditions skin and forms a thin surface layer that slows moisture loss. You may see it listed simply as vitamin E.

  • Malic Acid

    Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)

    Malic Acid is a buffering agent. It fine-tunes and holds the product's acidity at a steady level.

Checking this against your own list

SPF Scout's Personal Ingredient Check runs in the app, on your device. This page cannot see a personal avoidance list. Your selections are stored on your phone and are never sent to this website — there is nowhere on our side for them to go.

In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Source quality

Source
DailyMed drug label
Source record
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=2c523aa0-7c34-4fc2-98a0-f2fdfe6d2cd2
Retrieved
27 July 2026
Market
United States
Formulation date
Not recorded
Version
v2 of this U.S. formulation
Verification confidence
High
Entries recorded
32
Record checksum
sha256:ba30809e7dc167e489dfe4fd8c54480c49a0e4adfdfa48049c5f6fb56fb4aa4d

Earlier readings of this document

We have read this product's source document twice, and kept each reading. The earlier reading is ours: a change in how we read the document, not a change the manufacturer made to the formula.

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