Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Premium
73/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is a mixed-filter sunscreen that combines older chemical filters with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Despite its matte name it is rated balanced in finish, wears lightweight and is generally unlikely to sting, with a medium chance of some white cast. The low breakout trigger is helpful, while the makeup-base fit is okay. With good protection and a score of 73.1, it is a steady high-SPF option for daily use.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
76
- +12 Homosalate at #2, UV filter
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #3, UV filter
- +38.9 Zinc Oxide at #4, UV filter (UVA1 +17.1)
- +26.4 Titanium Dioxide at #8, UV filter (UVA1 +4)
- β21.3 UVB coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Homosalate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β12.6 Octinoxate at #3, stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- +0 2 endocrine-scrutinized filters together
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White cast
Medium
54
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide at #4
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #8
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- +5.5 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +3.5 Coated minerals (Alumina)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Homosalate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Low
72
- +100 Starting score
- β22 Zinc Oxide at #4
- β6 Titanium Dioxide at #8
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Fungal acne
High
24
- +100 Starting score
- β24 2 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate)
- β50 5 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-10 Pentastearate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
- β2 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β10 Zinc Oxide at #4, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 2 Zinc Oxide at #4, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Glycerin at #20, the anchor humectant
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
- β 0.5 1 fatty-alcohol emollients (Behenyl Alcohol)
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Caprylyl Methicone)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Squalane)
π
Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 1 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Sodium Polyacrylate, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 6 High mineral load at #4 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (39)
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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1 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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 (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 12.6 stacked (regulatory/evidence concern)
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide)
- β 38.9 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 10 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 6 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
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), low in the list, likely a minor contributor
- β 26.4 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
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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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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Botanical extract
-
16 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Botanical extract
-
Supporting ingredient
-
20 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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21 Mannitol
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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24 Squalane
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
26 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
28 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
-
29 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
31 Zinc Sulfate
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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36 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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39 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Does Obagi Sun Shield Matte SPF 50 leave a white cast?
It has a medium chance of some white cast, partly because it includes zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. It is generally unlikely to sting and wears lightweight.
Is the Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Premium mineral or chemical?
It uses a mix of filters, combining older chemical filters with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Is it a good sunscreen?
It scores 73.1 out of 100, which is solid, with good protection, so it is a steady high-SPF option for daily use.