Obagi Physical Defense Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 50
82/100 overall score
Sign in to see this product's score for your skin.
About this sunscreen
Obagi Physical Defense Tinted is a 100 percent mineral SPF 50 using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, with a tint that helps offset white cast for a low visible residue and a balanced finish. It is generally non-stinging with low pore-clogging concern, though as a mineral cream it can feel slightly heavier on the skin. Protection rates as good and the overall score is 82.2/100. A dependable mineral choice for sensitive skin that prefers a tinted, low-cast result.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
75
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
π»
White cast
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 14.4% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 5.8% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (20.2% total declared)
- +49.7 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
- +2.1 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +2.9 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina)
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 14.4% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 5.8% declared
- β5 Cetearyl Alcohol at #7, rich gel-network thickener
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
π
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
π
Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #20, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
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 #6, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
- β 1 1 fatty-alcohol emollients (Cetearyl Alcohol)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Dicaprylyl Carbonate)
π
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 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (31)
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.
-
Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 5.8% declared
- β 10 5.8% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 28 14.4% declared
- β 18 14.4% declared
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
-
3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
-
6 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
-
Fatty alcohol, an emollient and thickener, not the drying kind
- β 5 rich gel-network thickener
- 1 β nourishing fatty-alcohol emollient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
10 Propanediol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
-
12 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
13 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
-
20 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
-
21 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
-
22 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
24 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Supporting ingredient
-
28 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
-
Botanical extract
Does Obagi Physical Defense Tinted leave a white cast?
It is designed to keep white cast low. The tint helps offset the residue that mineral filters can leave, for a more natural balanced finish.
Is the Obagi Physical Defense Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is 100 percent mineral, using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, which suits sensitive skin that prefers mineral filters.
Is it good for acne-prone skin?
It can work for acne-prone skin, with a low pore-clogging concern and a non-stinging formula. Note that as a mineral cream it can feel slightly heavier than a lightweight chemical fluid.