Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Sun Block SPF 32
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 32 · 1 UV filterBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
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.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“With Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block SPF 32 #6, you can keep skin safe from sun damage and protect it against signs of aging such as fine lines, dark spots and a rough texture.”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingSide benefit the brand mentions · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“Obagi Nu-Derm Physical UV Block SPF 32 is the perfect addition to your anti-aging routine.”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Tocopheryl acetateMay help
This product contains antioxidants (epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy6 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 oxide18.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideCera alba~22–34%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about Cera albaButylene glycol~5.6–8.5%
- 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 glycolCetyl dimethicone~3.8–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture
More about Cetyl dimethiconeCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeDimethicone~2.3–3.4%
- 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 DimethiconeDisodium edta~0.5–1%
Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might contain antioxidants
More about Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extractEthylhexyl stearate~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateGlycereth-26~0.9–1.35%
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilIsopropyl palmitate~0.45–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateMethylparaben~0.15–0.3%
Propylparaben~0.2–0.4%
Sodium chloride~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTocopheryl acetate~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneWater~0.05–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Cera alba, Butylene glycol, Cetyl dimethicone, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Dimethicone, Disodium edta, Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract, Ethylhexyl stearate, Glycereth-26, Hydrogenated castor oil, Isopropyl palmitate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium chloride, Tocopheryl acetate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Water
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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.
| ObagiNu-Derm Physical UV Sun Block SPF 32YOUR PRODUCT | Eau Thermale AveneMineral Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ | CVS HealthClear Zinc Broad Spectrum Sun Lotion SPF 50 | Blue LizardAustralian Sunscreen - Kids, SPF 30+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 38% | 36% | 36% |
| Price | — | $36.00 | — | $11.99 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Butyloctyl Salicylate | Beeswax | Beeswax |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 32 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Skin Daily Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50 Sheer Sunscreen for Face & BodyBondi Sands SPF50+ Mineral Face Lotion
Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Obagi - Nu-Derm Physical UV Sun Block SPF 32" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 52.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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