Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Anti-aging1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“Wearing a daily sun protection product such as Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 can help prevent this damage so you avoid these signs of aging.”
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.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · 1 ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
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).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 10 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
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: dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: MethylisothiazolinoneMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateZinc oxide10.5%
- 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 oxide1,2-hexanediol~24–35%
Caprylyl glycol~6.1–9.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCeteareth-20~4.7–7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Cetearyl alcohol~3.9–5.8%
- 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 alcoholChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Citric acid~2.6–4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCyclopentasiloxane~2.3–3.5%
- 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 CyclopentasiloxaneDimethicone~2.1–3.1%
- 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 DimethiconeDimethicone crosspolymer-3~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Disodium edta~0.5–1%
Glycerin~0.95–1.45%
- 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 GlycerinHydrogenated palm glycerides~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Hydrogenated palm glyceridesHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Peg-40 stearate~0.55–1.3%
Pentylene glycol~0.6–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPhenyl trimethicone~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that can decrease loss of moisture from the skin surface. It helps create a nice product texture
More about Phenyl trimethiconePolysilicone-11~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that forms a light film on the skin surface helping to bind water and temporarily absorb oils creating a matt and powdery feel
More about Polysilicone-11Polysorbate 60~0.5–1.1%
Potassium sorbate~0.3–0.6%
Sodium benzoate~0.25–0.5%
Sodium dihydroxycetyl phosphate~0.35–0.8%
Sodium polyacrylate~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a gel-like product texture, as well as to stabilize emulsions
More about Sodium polyacrylateSqualane~0.35–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneStearyl alcohol~0.3–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin
More about Stearyl alcoholTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTropolone~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Water~0.1–0.35%
Xanthan gum~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Ceteareth-20, Cetearyl alcohol, Chlorphenesin, Citric acid, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone crosspolymer-3, Disodium edta, Glycerin, Hydrogenated palm glycerides, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Methylisothiazolinone, Peg-40 stearate, Pentylene glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Phenyl trimethicone, Polysilicone-11, Polysorbate 60, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate, Sodium dihydroxycetyl phosphate, Sodium polyacrylate, Squalane, Stearyl alcohol, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tropolone, Water, Xanthan gum
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Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "Obagi - Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50" can offer reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (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).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. Here are the organic filters this product uses: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen 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 from 53.00$ up to 54.00$ in the United States and for 68.90CA$ 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 12 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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