PRODUCT REVIEW
Obagi Sun Shield Matte SPF50 Cream
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Sun protection
zinc oxide
16.5%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral
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
titanium dioxide
1.8% -
2.2%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral
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
butyloctyl salicylate
2.2% -
2.7%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
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
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Anti-aging
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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.
tocopherol
0.05% -
0.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
Evens skin tone
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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.
Moisturizing
glycerin
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
mannitol
0.25% -
0.4%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
squalene
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
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Anti-oxidation
squalene
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
tocopherol
0.05% -
0.1%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate
0.05% -
0.15%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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.
Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
90/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 2
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
alcohol
1.1% -
1.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
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Comodogenic ingredients
lithothamnion calcareum extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
A mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
squalene
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
User reviews (0)
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| WIMJ similarity score |
37%
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| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 34 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 44 | SPF 45 | SPF 45 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
dimethicone
0.45% -
0.65%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
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
squalene
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
Show more
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
alcohol
1.1% -
1.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Antibacterial
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
lithothamnion calcareum extract
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Moisturizing
A mineral-rich extract from red algae. Might be able to help attract water to the upper layer of the skin
squalene
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation
An oil that is naturally part of skin sebum that helps to soften its upper layer, reduce water loss and neutralize free radicals. It might be comedogenic. Avoid applying large concentrations (or pure oil) before sun exposure as oxidized squalene can clog pores and lead to skin irritation. Today squalene is mostly derived from vegetable oils or synthetized by yeast
All ingredients
homosalate
6.1% -
7.4%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
4.3% -
5.3%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
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
Show more
Ingredient list view
Water, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Zinc oxide, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Caprylyl methicone, Titanium dioxide, Alcohol, Polyglyceryl-10 pentastearate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Butylene glycol, Pentylene glycol, Physalis angulata extract, Dimethicone, Peg-40 stearate, Lithothamnion calcareum extract, Diatomaceous earth, Glycerin, Mannitol, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Squalene, Sodium polyacrylate, Xanthan gum, Chlorphenesin, Alumina, Stearic acid, Sodium stearoyl lactylate, Zinc sulfate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate, Citric acid, Disodium edta, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopherol
Sources
- Opinion on Homosalate - Scientific Committee on Consumer Products
- A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
- Risk assessment of zinc oxide, a cosmetic ingredient used as a UV filter of sunscreens
- Characterization of the UVA protection provided by avobenzone, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide in broad-spectrum sunscreen products
- Ultraviolet Protection Properties of Commercial Sunscreens and Sunscreens Containing Zno Nanorods
- ZnO nanoparticles and organic chemical UV-filters are equally well tolerated by human immune cells
- Safety assessment of Salicylic Acid, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Calcium Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Salicylate, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Hexyldodecyl Salicylate, Isocetyl Salicylate, Isodecyl Salicylate, Magnesium Salicylate, MEA-Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Potassium Salicylate, Methyl Salicylate, Myristyl Salicylate, Sodium Salicylate, TEA-Salicylate, and Tridecyl Salicylate
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Squalene and its potential clinical uses
- Biological and Pharmacological Activities of Squalene and Related Compounds: Potential Uses in Cosmetic Dermatology
- Enhanced comedo formation in rabbit ear skin by squalene and oleic acid peroxides
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics
- Double-blind, half-face study comparing topical vitamin C and vehicle for rejuvenation of photodamage
- Application of tetra-isopalmitoyl ascorbic acid in cosmetic formulations: Stability studies and in vivo efficacy
- Vitamin E in dermatology