Obagi Medical Physical Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 40
81/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Obagi Medical Physical Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 40 is a pure mineral sunscreen built on Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, a pairing commonly chosen for sensitive skin. It has a balanced, lightweight finish, keeps clogging low, and is unlikely to sting, though it can leave a moderate white cast that is typical of mineral formulas. It works acceptably under makeup. With good protection and a strong overall score of 80.9/100, it is a dependable mineral option for those who tolerate a slight cast.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
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White cast
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 12.8% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4.5% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (17.3% total declared)
- +6 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +8.1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina)
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Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 12.8% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4.5% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Medium
75
- +100 Starting score
- β18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate)
- β7 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #7, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
- β 0.5 1 fatty-alcohol emollients (Cetearyl Alcohol)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 1 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (28)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4.5% declared
- β 10 4.5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 28 12.8% declared
- β 18 12.8% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide)
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7 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- 0.5 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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10 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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17 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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18 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Supporting ingredient
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21 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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22 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Supporting ingredient
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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Botanical extract
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Soothing, skin-conditioning active
Does Obagi Physical Defense SPF 40 leave a white cast?
It can leave a moderate white cast, which is common for pure mineral sunscreens. Blending it in well and using a thin layer helps minimize the residue.
Is this a mineral or chemical sunscreen?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen built on Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, a pairing commonly chosen for sensitive skin. It is unlikely to sting.
Is Obagi Physical Defense SPF 40 good?
It earns a strong overall score of 80.9/100 with good protection, making it a dependable mineral option for those who tolerate a slight cast. It also keeps pore-clogging low.