Ingredient dictionary

UVA-only sunscreen filter that must be combined with other sunscreen ingredients to achieve broad-spectrum protection. Avobenzone must be stabilised in a formula to keep it from breaking down prematurely on skin.

Also called oxybenzone, a sunscreen agent that protects skin primarily from the sun's UVB rays.

Group of compounds used in cosmetics as sunscreen agents to protect mostly from UVB.

Synthetic broad-spectrum sunscreen agent that helps defend skin against UVA and UVB rays; praised for excellent photostability.

Term that, when applied to sunscreen, refers to a sunscreen's ability to protect the skin from both UVA and UVB rays from the sun.

Sunscreen ingredient that absorbs primarily UVB light.

UVA-only sunscreen filter that must be combined with other sunscreen ingredients to achieve broad-spectrum protection. It must be stabilised in a formula to keep it from breaking down prematurely on skin.

Synthetic sunscreen agent with excellent photostability that helps protect skin from UVA rays and visible signs of aging.

Oil-soluble synthetic sunscreen ingredient that provides protection against UVB rays and a portion of UVA rays. It’s also known as Iscotrizinol and Uvasorb HEB.

This UVA and UVB filter also known as Mexoryl XL is not approved yet for widespread use in the U.S.

Sunscreen ingredient that provides UVA protection.

Ensulizole is a water soluble sunscreen ingredient that works in the UVB range, offering no UVA protection.

Sunscreen agent used to protect skin primarily from the sun's UVB rays.

A synthetic UV filter that works primarily in the UVB range but can also contribute some UVA protection. Also known as octisalate.

Ethylhexyl triazone is a synthetic sunscreen ingredient that helps protect skin from UVB rays. It is not currently approved as a sunscreen agent in the United States and Canada but is available in other markets in up to 5% concentration.

A sunscreen ingredient often found in products rated SPF 30 or greater, where it provides reliable UVB (and a tiny amount of UVA) protection and works as a solvent for other UV filters.