HOW TO CHOOSE A SUNSCREEN: Know Your UV Filters
Sunscreen is one hot topic with little chance of cooling off anytime soon. Given the recent hullabaloo over Korean sunscreens testing below stated SPF/PA ratings plus Valisure’s discovery of benzene contaminants in some No. American sunscreens https://www.valisure.com/blog/valisure-news/valisure-detects-benzene-in-sunscreen/ the chatter isn’t going to die down anytime soon. Social media debates over transdermal absorption, hormone disruption, environmental safety, photo stability, nano vs non-nano, inclusion/exclusion by regulatory bodies etc. etc. etc. can get pretty heated. All the fearmongering leaves the humble consumer either confused or with a hefty pile of research to do.
In my videos I review over 30 sunscreens. I also created a reference list below to assist you in deciphering UVA/UVB filters on your sunscreen’s INCI. I recommend keeping it simple. Confirm your sunscreen contains both UVA and UVB filters, you like it enough reapply through out the day and be done. Still stuck? Check out my videos for my favorite mineral and chemical sunscreens, or ask your dermatologist for suggestions.
Then buy a floppy hat, or two, grab a pair of UV protective sunglasses & relax knowing you’re doing your best!
UVA / UVB Broad Spectrum Filters
Mexoryl XL (L’Oreal): Drometrizole Trisiloxane
Tinosorb A2B: Tris-Biphenyl Triazine (nano)
Tinosorb M: Bisoctrizole, Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
Tinosorb S: Bemotrizinol, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Zinc Oxide/Mineral filter
UVA Filters:
Mexoryl SX (L’Oreal): Ecamsule, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
Neo Heliopan AP: Bidisulizole Disodium, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
Avobenzone: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Uvinul A plus: Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UVB Filters
Amiloxate: Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate
Ensulizole: Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
Enzacamene: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
Homosalate: Homomenthyl Salicylate
Icotrizinol: Uvasorb HEB, Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
Octinoxate: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Octisalate: Octyl Salicylate, Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Octocrylene
Oxybenzone: Benzophenone-3
Polysilicone 15
Titanium Dioxide/mineral filter
Uvinul T 150: Octyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl Triazone
Acknowledgment:
Dan Finaldi – an avid & passionate #sunscreenscholar, artist and one funny guy who’s educational posts and discourse are in large part responsible for educating me (well, trying to educate me) on the complexity of UV filters AND the unnecessary (IMO) heated debates over sunscreen and vilification of various sunscreen filters. Dan is on social media posting break. However, I encourage you to check out his library of IG posts @danlovesskincare if you have a sense of humor and want to learn more about sunscreen filters. Also check out his UV filters.
*This list is not an exhaustive list of the all the UV filters but likely ones on this list are the ones you will encounter on most INCI lists.
(updated 06/03/21)