Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is a chemical sunscreen built on older filters, Homosalate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate, with some Zinc Oxide. It finishes matte, stays lightweight, and shows little white cast, which suits oilier skin, though it is a poor fit under makeup. Pore-clogging risk is low. With good protection and a score of 71.4/100, it is a solid matte option for everyday use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
63
- +12 Homosalate at #1, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #2, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #3, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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White cast
Low
65
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 16.5% declared
- +4.2 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +2.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
82
- +100 Starting score
- β9 Homosalate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
Low
68
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 16.5% declared
- β2 Cera Alba at #24, wax film
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Fungal acne
Medium
59
- +100 Starting score
- β18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Olivate)
- β23 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #3, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 8 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #3, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Glycerin at #13, the anchor humectant
β¨
Finish
Matte
MatteDewy
- β 9 2 sebum-absorbing powders (Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Silica)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Xanthan Gum)
- β 15 High mineral load at #3 greys under foundation
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +2 1 water-locking waxes
Full ingredient list (25)
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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Legacy UV filter (Homosalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 12 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
-
Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 42 16.5% declared
- β 30 16.5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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4 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 6 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 18 feeds malassezia
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9 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 3 sebum-absorbing powder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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12 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
13 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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pH adjuster
-
Supporting ingredient
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
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24 Cera Alba
Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 2 wax film
- β 2 wax water lock
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25 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
Is Obagi Sun Shield Matte SPF 50 good for oily skin?
Yes, the matte finish suits oilier skin, it stays lightweight, and pore-clogging risk is low. It shows little white cast.
Is the Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is mainly a chemical sunscreen using older filters, Homosalate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate, with some Zinc Oxide, at SPF 50.
Does it work under makeup?
It is a poor fit under makeup. With good protection and a score of 71.4/100, it is a solid matte option on its own.