Collection: Obagi SPF

Chemical sunscreens (containing ingredients like oxybenzone or avobenzone) absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat within the skin. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically sit on the skin's surface and deflect UV rays before they penetrate. Mineral formulations are less likely to cause irritation, stinging, or allergic reactions, which is why they are preferred for sensitive skin, rosacea-prone skin, and skin undergoing active clinical treatments like Advanced-Protocol Retinoid or retinoids or chemical peels.

You need approximately half a teaspoon (around 1.25ml) for the face and neck combined. Most people apply only 25–50% of the amount needed to achieve the labelled SPF rating, which means an SPF 50 product may only deliver SPF 15–25 in practice. Be generous — apply in two layers if needed. If you are using a dedicated SPF product like Obagi Sun Shield, it should feel like a noticeable layer on the skin, not a thin afterthought.

If you sit near windows, yes. UVA rays penetrate glass and are the primary driver of photoageing and pigmentation. If you work from home near a window or spend time in a conservatory, you are receiving meaningful UV exposure. For patients on pigmentation protocols or Advanced-Protocol Retinoid, I recommend applying SPF every morning regardless of plans — it takes 30 seconds and protects weeks of treatment progress.

Yes — Obagi Sun Shield Mineral SPF 50 is formulated to layer smoothly under makeup. Allow it one to two minutes to set after application, then apply your primer or foundation as normal. The mineral formula provides a slightly mattifying base that many patients find actually improves makeup adherence. Avoid rubbing or buffing aggressively when applying makeup over SPF, as this can displace the sunscreen layer.

Expert-selected SPFs like Obagi Sun Shield are formulated to stricter standards with higher concentrations of active mineral filters, superior photostability, and cosmetic elegance that encourages daily compliance. High-street sunscreens often use chemical filters that can irritate sensitised or treatment-active skin, and their formulations may not be tested alongside prescription actives. If you are investing in clinical skincare — retinoids, vitamin C, acne treatments — using an SPF that is engineered to complement those products is essential for protecting both your skin and your investment.

Reapply every 2 hours during direct, prolonged, or outdoor sun exposure — this includes walking, commuting, or sitting in a garden. If you are indoors with minimal window exposure, a single generous morning application is sufficient for most of the day. After swimming, sweating, or towel-drying, reapply immediately regardless of the time elapsed. Mineral SPFs like Obagi Sun Shield work instantly on application — there is no 20-minute wait required as with some chemical sunscreens.