An in-depth look into the Most Common Ingredients Used in Sunscreen
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It's our mission to ensure you have an in-depth look into the Most Common Ingredients Used in Sunscreen.
You might already know that diligent use of sunscreen can also help to slow or temporarily prevent the development of wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin.
It's hard to choosing a sunscreen. Because not all sun-protecting ingredients have the same benefits, risks, or instructions.In fact, some ingredients might help prevent UV burn but not aging, while others are universally considered safe for people, but not the environment.
So which ingredient works? We've got your back on the approved, banned, and status of the most common ingredients.
1.Bemotrizinol and Bisoctrizole
The most effective oil soluble broad-spectrum UV filter, Bemotrizinol (BEMT) can protect against UVA and UVB rays, long and short, making it one of the most ideal ingredients for sun damage prevention. Bisoctrizole (MBBT) also has synergy effect combined with the oil-soluble UV filter.
However, the FDA hasn’t approved these two ingredients for several reasons, citing, a “lack of information” and only being asked for “a decision, not an approval.” The ingredient is often added to sunscreen to boost its efficiency and has yet to be connected to any high risk factors.
Approved in: Australia, Japan, Europe
Banned in: United States
Best for: Antioxidant benefits and sun damage prevention
Coral safe Unknown
2.Oxybenzone
Oxybenzone, often used in broad-spectrum sunscreens, helps filter both UVB and UVA rays (specifically short UVA). It’s also one of the most popular ingredients, used in the majority of sunscreens in the U.S. market .
However, Hawaii has banned this ingredient after a study, created by the Haereticus Environmental lab, found that the ingredient had significant harmful impacts on Hawaii's marine environment and residing ecosystems, including coral reefs that protect Hawaii's shoreline. For environmental reasons, you’ll want to avoid this ingredient and look for “ocean friendly” sunscreens.
Most recently, a study found that our skin absorbs sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone. This caused a spike of interest in “safe” sunscreens, despite the study reporting no harm found and concluding that “these results do not indicate that individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen.”
Other studies also confirm that oxybenzone doesn’t significantly demonstrate endocrine disruption.
Approved in: United States (except Hawaii), Australia, Europe
Restricted in: Japan
Best for: Sun damage and burn prevention
Coral safe? May cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms
Caution: Sensitive skin types will want to skip formulas with this ingredient
3.Octinoxate
Octinoxate is a common and effective UVB filter ideal for water-resistant sunscreen formulas, meaning it’s effective for sun damage prevention. Combined with avobenzone, they can both provide great broad-spectrum protection against burns and aging.
This ingredient is allowed in formulations , but is banned in Hawaii due to the environmental risks on coral reefs.
Approved in: Certain U.S. states, Europe, Japan, Australia
Banned in: Hawaii, Key West (Florida), Palau
Best for: Sunburn prevention
Coral safe? May cause genetic damage to coral and other marine organisms
Max concentration:7.5%(US) 10%(EU, AUS, ASIA) 20%(JP)
4.Avobenzone
Avobenzone is commonly used to absorb the full range of UVA rays and combined with the effective UVB filters for broad-spectrum protection and high SPFs.
On its own, the ingredient destabilizes when exposed to light. To combat this, it’s often paired with other ingredients to stabilize avobenzone.
In many countries, avobenzone is used in combination with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide specifically, but in the United States, the combination isn’t permitted.
In the U.S., the FDA deems this ingredient safe but restricts the concentration amount to 3% in sunscreen formulations.
Approved in: United States, Australia, Europe
Banned in: None; restricted use in Japan
Best for: Sun damage prevention
Coral safe? Detectable levels but no harm found
