EltaMD Unveils New UV Clear Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin

The cult-favorite formula now includes targeted ingredients to treat blemishes and control oil.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:00pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a sunscreen bottle repeated in a grid pattern, using vibrant neon hues and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday product into modern pop art.A bold, pop art-inspired visual celebrates the launch of EltaMD's new sunscreen formulated specifically for acne-prone skin.Coachella Today

EltaMD, known for its popular UV Clear sunscreen, has released a new version specifically formulated for acne-prone and oily skin. The UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 contains a proprietary complex of zinc and antioxidants to provide sun protection while also reducing inflammation, bacteria, and excess oil production - the key causes of breakouts. In clinical studies, the formula was shown to reduce acne by 65%, visible oil and shine by 61%, and pore size by 25% over 12 weeks of use.

Why it matters

Finding an effective sunscreen that doesn't clog pores or exacerbate acne has long been a challenge for those with blemish-prone skin. The new UV Clear Blemish-Prone formula aims to solve this problem by incorporating targeted ingredients to actively treat the root causes of breakouts, making it a potential game-changer for those struggling with persistent acne.

The details

The key ingredient in the UV Clear Blemish-Prone formula is the ZincAOXPro complex, which combines zinc (a gentle mineral sunscreen filter) with four antioxidants including carnosine, two forms of vitamin E, and soothing bisabolol. This complex not only protects skin from UV damage but also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits to reduce breakouts. The formula also contains 5% niacinamide, which is proven to reduce inflammation and excess oil production.

  • In February 2026, Cosmopolitan beauty editor Lauren Balsamo visited EltaMD's R&D labs in New Jersey to learn about the new UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 formula.
  • The new sunscreen launched in April 2026.

The players

EltaMD

A skincare brand known for its popular UV Clear sunscreen, which is widely recommended by dermatologists for acne-prone skin.

Lauren Balsamo

The beauty director at Cosmopolitan magazine, with over 13 years of experience covering skincare and beauty.

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What they’re saying

“I've used the original UV Clear for nearly a decade, so my expectations were high—especially because I've been dealing with more hormonal breakouts lately. After six weeks of daily use (with no other routine changes), my skin genuinely looks clearer and brighter. I've had fewer inflamed breakouts along my jawline, and my post-acne marks from old breakouts have faded, too.”

— Lauren Balsamo, Beauty Director, Cosmopolitan

“I have quite the dilemma on my hands. I want to listen to all the dermatologists (and Lauren) who tell me to only wear mineral sunscreen because I have acne-prone skin, but I hate the heavy feeling of zinc and will only consistently use a sunscreen if it's lightweight and easy to blend. Turns out, the answer was a hybrid formula like this from EltaMD.”

— Bella Gianetti, Beauty Editor, Cosmopolitan

“I've been obsessed with EltaMD's sunscreens for years, and while none of them have ever broken me out in the past, I love that this upgraded formula is specifically catered toward acne-prone skin. I was a bit nervous to read the words 'oil-balancing' on the bottle since I'm super dry and formulas for oily skin tend to be too light for me, but I actually didn't experience any flaking or tightness.”

— Julianne Hough

What’s next

The brand has also announced that tinted versions of the UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 are in development and will be launching soon.

The takeaway

The new EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone & Oil Balancing SPF 50 represents a breakthrough in sunscreen formulation for those with acne-prone skin. By incorporating targeted ingredients to actively treat the root causes of breakouts, this sunscreen could be a game-changer for those who have struggled to find an effective and comfortable SPF that doesn't exacerbate their skin concerns.