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How we build Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.

SUN

The original · Obagi

Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

$60 · 3 oz (85 g)

An untinted mineral sunscreen: zinc oxide 15.6% and titanium dioxide 6.2% sit on the skin and block UVA and UVB.

Official product page (opens in new tab)

Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.

Step 2 · The build

Our build 1 part

  • Illustration of La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50

    La Roche-Posay

    La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50

    AZinc oxide 15.6% · 23 of 45BTitanium dioxide 6.2% · 20CSheer, light ester base · 8 of 15ENasturtium extract (infrared/HEV claim) · 3 of 10
    $29.99View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.

The 100 points

What stands out 100 pts

We split Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.

  • AZinc oxide 15.6%23 of 45 pts

    The main filter: broad UVA and UVB coverage from a mineral that sits on the skin.

    Schneider 2019 · Photodermatol Photoimmunol…Hughes 2013 · Ann Intern Med
  • BTitanium dioxide 6.2%20 of 20 pts

    A second mineral filter that boosts UVB protection.

    Schneider 2019 · Photodermatol Photoimmunol…
  • CSheer, light ester base8 of 15 pts

    Light esters keep a high-mineral lotion sheer and non-greasy.

  • DDipotassium glycyrrhizate0 of 10 pts

    A licorice-derived soothing agent, useful on post-procedure skin.

  • ENasturtium extract (infrared/HEV claim)3 of 10 pts

    The botanical Obagi ties to its infrared and blue light claim.

    No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.

Optional

Get closer score under 80

54 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.

95 is our ceiling. Nasturtium extract (infrared/HEV claim) has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.

Step 3 · Buy

Buy the build

One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.

Skincare SuppliesOct 28, 2026

Your build

  1. 01La Roche-PosayLa Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50$29.99

    Running total $29.99

    View product (opens in new tab)

    Not an affiliate link.

Build total$29.99
The splurge$60
Match54/100

Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.

Other single-product swaps

One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.

budget Closest we found

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50

La Roche-Posay

Match score 54 out of 100

No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.

$29.99 · 1.7 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Titanium dioxide 6%
  • Zinc oxide 5%
  • Untinted mineral SPF 50
  • Antioxidant (cassia alata extract)

Misses

  • Licorice soothing agent
  • Zinc at Obagi's level

Why it is close. Nearly the same titanium dioxide level, with a thin fluid texture. Zinc oxide is much lower (5% versus 15.6%), so UVA protection relies more on the titanium. Silicone-based and untinted.

Ingredient list source

View product (opens in new tab)

Not an affiliate link.

budget

Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Lotion SPF 50

Neutrogena

Match score 53 out of 100
$8.99 · 2 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Zinc oxide 21.6% (more than Obagi)
  • Untinted mineral SPF 50

Misses

  • Titanium dioxide
  • Licorice soothing agent
  • Nasturtium antioxidant

Why it is close. An untinted, zinc-only SPF 50 with more zinc oxide than the Obagi lotion, made for sensitive skin. It has a dry-touch finish and no titanium dioxide or soothing extras. A strong match on protection for under $10.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)
budget

CeraVe Hydrating 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 (face)

CeraVe

Match score 51 out of 100
$11.89 · 2.5 fl oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Titanium dioxide 9%
  • Zinc oxide 7%
  • Untinted mineral SPF 50

Misses

  • Licorice soothing agent
  • Nasturtium antioxidant
  • Zinc at Obagi's level

Why it is close. Same two mineral filters at SPF 50, with more titanium and less zinc than the Obagi lotion. It adds niacinamide and ceramides for barrier support. It can look a bit whiter on deeper skin tones.

Ingredient list source

View product (opens in new tab)

Not an affiliate link.

mid Lower SPF

EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (untinted)

EltaMD

Match score 38 out of 100
$45 · 1.7 oz
What it shares, what it misses

Shares

  • Zinc oxide 9%

Misses

  • Titanium dioxide
  • SPF 50 (this is SPF 46)
  • Fully mineral filters (adds octinoxate)

Why it is close. A popular sensitive-skin choice with 9% zinc oxide plus niacinamide. It is SPF 46, lower than the original, and uses a chemical filter (octinoxate), so it is not fully mineral.

Ingredient list source

Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)

What the science says

Full ingredient list

Show the INCI list

Active Ingredients: titanium dioxide 6.2%, zinc oxide 15.6% ; Inactive Ingredients: water (aqua), caprylic/capric triglyceride, dicaprylyl carbonate, pentylene glycol, steareth-2, glycerin, silica, polyhydroxystearic acid, steareth-21, cetearyl alcohol, propanediol, alumina, stearic acid, sodim stearoyl glutamate, caprylyl glycol, triethoxycaprylylsillane, cetearyl glucoside, xanthan gum, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, trisodium ethylenediaminne disuccinate, caprylhydroxamic acid, tropaeolun majus flower/leaf/stem extract

Source

Questions

What does the 54/100 score for our Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ build mean?

We split Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 54 of a possible 95. 95 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.

What is the best dupe for Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+?

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 by La Roche-Posay is our closest single-product match at 54 out of 100 for $29.99 (1.7 fl oz). It shares Titanium dioxide 6%, Zinc oxide 5%, Untinted mineral SPF 50, Antioxidant (cassia alata extract).

How much can I save on Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+?

Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ costs $60 for 3 oz (85 g). The closest dupe costs $29.99, a saving of about $30.01. Prices change, so check the seller page.

Is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Fluid Mineral Face Sunscreen SPF 50 exactly the same as Sun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50+?

No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Licorice soothing agent, Zinc at Obagi's level. See our methodology for how we score.

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