Obagi MD Soothing Complex Broad Spectrum SPF25 Moisturiser
Works for
1 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 25 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrumWeak protectionSPF under 30
This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Moisturizing19 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“MD Soothing Complex Broad Spectrum SPF25 Moisturiser”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: butyrospermum parkii butter, caprylic/capric triglyceride.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: tetrapeptide-14
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · 6 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (camellia oleifera leaf extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 3 ingredients credited for this claimModerate support
This product contains tetrapeptide-14. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works. The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy15 flagged ingredientsMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideTitanium dioxide~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideGlycerin~3.5–4.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinOctyldodecyl stearoyl stearate~2.8–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cyclopentasiloxane~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps improve the product texture and spreadability. Can absorb oil creating a short-term mattifying effect on the skin
More about CyclopentasiloxaneButyloctyl salicylate~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCyclohexasiloxane~1.6–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that serves as an emollient. Helps create a nice non-greasy feels
More about CyclohexasiloxaneCetyl alcohol~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholButyrospermum parkii butter~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
A great moisturising ingredient that softens the skin and reduces water loss from its upper layer. It also can be helpful in protecting skin from free radicals
More about Butyrospermum parkii butterPropanediol~1.1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamatePolyhydroxystearic acid~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidRanunculus ficaria extract~0.7–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cetearyl glucoside~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideCetearyl alcohol~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPhytonadione~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ananas sativus fruit juice~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Dimethicone~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeMethylcellulose~0.55–0.85%
Microcrystalline cellulose~0.55–0.85%
Glyceryl stearate~0.6–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateAluminum stearate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to help evenly disperse other ingredients (for example, pigment) in a formulation
More about Aluminum stearateSorbitan stearate~0.5–0.8%
Alumina~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaBenzyl alcohol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Can be used to mask unpleasant smell. Can be irritating
More about Benzyl alcoholAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractBenzoic acid~0.25–0.5%
Cellulose gum~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create thicker product consistency and stabilize emulsions
More about Cellulose gumIron oxides~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesAllantoin~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinDisodium edta~0.5–0.75%
Butylene glycol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolBioflavonoids~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Chondrus crispus~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispusSorbic acid~0.3–0.6%
Sodium hydroxide~0.35–0.6%
Phenoxyethanol~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolBromelain~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Brassica oleracea italica extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Brassica oleracea italica extractCucumis sativus fruit extract~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might be somewhat helpful in reducing hyperpigmentation and neutralizing free radicals but its typical concentration in a product is too low for having an effect
More about Cucumis sativus fruit extractChamomilla recutita flower extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- High
Plant extract that can have healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Chamomilla recutita flower extractCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractGlucose~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Could be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
More about GlucoseXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSodium benzoate~0.15–0.3%
Boswellia serrata extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Honey extract~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Honey extractCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractAspalathus linearis leaf extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Plant extract that might have help to neutralize free radicals in skin, but evidence of effectiveness is skin is lacking
More about Aspalathus linearis leaf extractTetrapeptide-14~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Titanium dioxide, Glycerin, Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Butyloctyl salicylate, Cyclohexasiloxane, Cetyl alcohol, Butyrospermum parkii butter, Propanediol, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Ranunculus ficaria extract, Cetearyl glucoside, Cetearyl alcohol, Phytonadione, Ananas sativus fruit juice, Dimethicone, Methylcellulose, Microcrystalline cellulose, Glyceryl stearate, Aluminum stearate, Sorbitan stearate, Alumina, Benzyl alcohol, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Benzoic acid, Cellulose gum, Iron oxides, Allantoin, Disodium edta, Butylene glycol, Bioflavonoids, Chondrus crispus, Sorbic acid, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Bromelain, Brassica oleracea italica extract, Cucumis sativus fruit extract, Chamomilla recutita flower extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Glucose, Xanthan gum, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium benzoate, Boswellia serrata extract, Honey extract, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Aspalathus linearis leaf extract, Tetrapeptide-14
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Product summary
We do not recommend "Obagi - MD Soothing Complex Broad Spectrum SPF25 Moisturiser" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
This moisturizer should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 79.00$ in the United States and for 102.70CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5
- 6
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.