Obagi Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 UV filtersBroad 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 · Dipotassium glycyrrhizateWorks well
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
“Providing comprehensive protection against UVA and UVB rays, and defense against IR rays and HEV light including blue light (solar or digital), which can cause premature skin 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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Glycerin + 6 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, cetearyl alcohol.
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.
Titanium 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 dioxideZinc oxide15.6%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.9–8.5%
- 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~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePentylene glycol~4.6–5.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSteareth-2~3.5–4.2%
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
- 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 GlycerinSilica~2.8–3.4%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidSteareth-21~1.5–1.8%
Cetearyl alcohol~1.3–1.6%
- 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 alcoholPropanediol~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolAlumina~1.2–1.4%
- 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 AluminaStearic acid~0.95–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateCaprylyl glycol~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.5–0.7%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCetearyl glucoside~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.2–0.35%
- 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 glycyrrhizateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.1–0.2%
Tropaeolum majus flower/leaf/stem extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Pentylene glycol, Steareth-2, Glycerin, Silica, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Steareth-21, Cetearyl alcohol, Propanediol, Alumina, Stearic acid, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Caprylyl glycol, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Cetearyl glucoside, Xanthan gum, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Tropaeolum majus flower/leaf/stem 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.
| ObagiSun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 CreamYOUR PRODUCT | Drunk ElephantUmbra Sheer Daily Defence SPF30 | WeledaUV Glow Fluid | NourishMaxTINTED MINERAL DEFENSE SUNSCREEN SPF 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 43% | 41% | 41% |
| Price | $60.00 | $42.78−$17.22 | $16.21−$43.79 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | Bisabolol | Knotgrass Extract |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Laboratoires de Biarritz Organic Alga Maris Face Sunscreen SPF50Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Roll-On Lotion - Fragrance Free
Product summary
"Obagi - Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream" does not provide enough UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage the skin, leading to early signs of aging and pigmentation issues.
It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide for sun protection. Titanium dioxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 54.00$ 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 10 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 6
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