Obagi Medical Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream 85
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 1 UV filter · Partial spectrumWeak protection
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.
Anti-agingNo ingredient credited for this claimNot delivered
“Lightweight and fast-absorbing without leaving behind any ashy residues, the broad-spectrum formula offers comprehensive defence with SPF 50, shielding skin from IR rays and HEV light (solar or digital blue light) too, preventing premature skin ageing.”
This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 8 moreWorks
“It contains unique INVISIBLE ZINC, an advanced and clinically-proven technology which fuses Ceramides and Niacinamide to deeply moisturise, sooth and reinforce the protective skin barrier.”
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, caprylyl glycol.
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: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy10 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc~44–54%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~13–16%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~5.4–6.7%
- 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 triglycerideDicaprylyl carbonate~3.3–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateTitanium dioxide6.2%
- 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~2.6–3.1%
- 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 GlycerinCetearyl alcohol~2.1–2.6%
- 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 alcoholDimethicone~1.9–2.3%
- 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 DimethiconePropanediol~1.7–2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolPolyhydroxystearic acid~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCetearyl glucoside~1.1–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosidePolyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearateLauryl glucoside~0.8–1.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolCaprylyl glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolStearic acid~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidAlumina~0.75–1.1%
- 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 AluminaSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneXanthan gum~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumSilica~0.45–0.7%
Caprylhydroxamic acid~0.25–0.45%
Bioflavonoids~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.2–0.35%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateBrassica oleracea italica extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Might have some anti-inflammatory properties but research is lacking
More about Brassica oleracea italica extractAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.2–0.35%
- 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 extractIngredient list view
Zinc, Unknown, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Titanium dioxide, Glycerin, Cetearyl alcohol, Dimethicone, Propanediol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Cetearyl glucoside, Polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearate, Lauryl glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl glycol, Stearic acid, Alumina, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Xanthan gum, Silica, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Bioflavonoids, Disodium edta, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Brassica oleracea italica extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ObagiMedical Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream 85YOUR PRODUCT | EltaMDUV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF44 Cream | Laboratoires de BiarritzAlga Maris SPF50 Face Sun Cream | La Roche-PosayAnthelios Mineral SPF Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 39% | 38% | 37% |
| Price | — | — | — | $34.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Butyloctyl Salicylate | Sunflower Seed Oil | Capryloyl Salicylic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 44 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Physicians Formula Super BB InstaReadyBeauty Balm Cream SPF 30, LightPEZRI UV Protection Sun Cream SPF 50 PA++++
Product summary
"Obagi - Medical Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream 85" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 53.00$ in the United States and for 123.40CA$ 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 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 4
- 5
- 6
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