I've Tried Every EltaMD Sunscreen—This Is the One I Keep Coming Back To

• Formula: 20/20
• Texture: 19/20
• Longevity: 18/20
• Efficacy: 20/20
• Value: 19/20

Total: 96/100

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While I've always managed to apply some classic Hawaiian Tropic to my bod on those (rare) occasions that I found myself soaking up the sun on vacation, I'll be honest: I didn't really take everyday suncare seriously until about five years ago. Not-so-coincidentally, that was around the time I turned 30. After all, if you ask any dermatologist about the best possible way to prevent signs of early aging (or worse—skin cancer), they're going to tell you one thing: wear sunscreen. All day, every day—not just in the summer and not just when you're going to the beach. The only issue? I found that so many of them—even the ones designed for your face—are greasy, pore-clogging, pilly and/or leave me looking like a straight-up mime due to their white cast.

So, over these past few years, I've become something of a sunscreen connoisseur. I've proudly tried 'em all and found some gems—from an algae-infused formula recommended to me by Nicola Peltz Beckham to a creamy, tinted pick that's gone viral on my social feeds. But the product that's earned a permanent spot in my morning routine—and work bag, gym bag and travel cosmetics case—is none other than EltaMD's UV Clear broad-spectrum SPF 46 ($45; $34). (Which, BTW, you can snag for 25 percent off at DermStreet right now with code EOSS25.)

Its reputation precedes it as a favorite of countless celebrities and beauty editors, and it was the very first formula I tried that, one, proved to me that face sunscreen didn't have to be greasy and heavy and, two, didn't give my complexion a silvery-white sheen. In the name of science (and, admittedly, based on which formulas I could find on sale), I've slathered my way through nearly every facial offering in the EltaMD line. Most are fine. But none speak to my skin's needs quite like the UV Clear.

The product is specifically formulated for sensitive, acne- and rosacea-prone skin, so it's oil-free, non-comedogenic and notably lightweight. It's also infused with skin-boosting ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid to soothe, hydrate and lock in moisture—in addition, of course, to protecting against sun damage.

To perform its most important function, the formula combines mineral and chemical shields—zinc oxide and octinoxate, respectively—to both reflect and absorb those harmful UVA/UVB rays. While many sunscreens on the market are either mineral or chemical, this one is a true double whammy that really works. Even after long days in the sun, my skin stays hydrated and free of redness whenever I apply it.

Speaking of application, I am not at all precious about it. It's the last (and sometimes only) step in my morning routine, involving a few pumps that I generously spread across my face, up to my hairline, down my neck and even on my ears. Even when it seems like I've used a lot, all it takes is a few moments of rubbing it in for it to completely disappear on my skin. That said, it also works great under makeup, and in my experience, never pills. (I let it fully dry before adding any products on top.)

Plus, I look forward to putting it on. The formula feels cool and calming, and makes my skin look better than it does without it. (It dries to a slightly matte finish that seems to even out my skin tone and even blur some imperfections.) When I know I'll be spending a lot of time outdoors and sweating under the sun, I'll take a bottle with me and reapply every few hours.

Sun damage is cumulative, folks, so it's never too late to start getting serious about protecting your skin. Finding a facial sunscreen that you actually like really helps. Given the nature of my job, I'll always be rotating through a roster of different formulas—but my mainstay, my one true SPF love, will always be EltaMD UV Clear. Yes, it's worth the hype and yes, it's worth stocking up on (especially when you have the chance to save on it).