Beauty ingredients explained in plain English

Etocrylene is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but it is less common in modern formulations due to concerns about photostability and potential skin sensitivity.

A synthetic UV filter that absorbs harmful rays, but research on its long-term safety is still limited.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sunburn and long-term sun damage, but it's less common in modern formulations due to availability of newer filters.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited by regional regulations and potential environmental concerns.

Homosalate is a common UVB sunscreen filter that is effective at preventing sunburn, but it has raised some environmental and potential endocrine concerns that are still being studied.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but with limited independent safety data compared to more common filters.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn, but its use is limited by regulatory approval in some regions.

A silicone-modified UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a lightweight, non-greasy feel.

A synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use has declined due to availability of more photostable alternatives.

A common UVB filter that works well but has raised some environmental and absorption concerns.

Menthyl Anthranilate is a gentle UVA sunscreen ingredient, but it is less common and not as broad-spectrum as newer alternatives.

A multifunctional silicone that adds shine and softness to hair while offering some UV protection, but it is synthetic and not biodegradable.

A dual-action ingredient that helps sunscreen spread evenly while adding a modest UV boost, but it is not a standalone sun protectant.

A silicone-based UV filter that also improves product spreadability and water resistance, but its use is limited outside Asia.

A silicone-bound UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a lightweight, non-greasy feel.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited and less common than other filters.

A modern synthetic UVA filter that provides broad-spectrum protection with low irritation potential, but its use is limited to certain regions due to regulatory approval status.

A synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and may not be as widely studied as other filters.

A synthetic UVB filter that protects skin from sunburn, but its use is restricted in some countries due to safety concerns.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but is less common in modern formulations due to availability of newer alternatives.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and may not be as widely studied as other filters.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions due to regulatory differences.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is less common than newer alternatives.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but its use is limited to certain regions and formulations.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, generally considered safe and low-irritation for most people.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn and long-term sun damage, but may not be suitable for very sensitive skin.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn, but its use is declining due to safety and environmental concerns.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn, but it's less common in modern sunscreens due to newer alternatives.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but is less common than newer alternatives.

A synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from deeper sun damage, but its use is limited outside certain regions.

A synthetic UV filter that provides broad-spectrum protection with a low irritation risk, but its use is limited to certain regions.

A synthetic UVB filter that is effective but has limited global approval due to safety concerns.

A synthetic UV filter that effectively absorbs UV rays, but its use is limited to certain regions due to regulatory differences.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, generally considered safe and effective in approved concentrations.

A synthetic ester that helps dissolve and stabilize UV filters in sunscreens, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A highly effective, photostable broad-spectrum UV filter that is gentle on skin and leaves minimal white cast.

A synthetic UVA filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, generally considered safe and non-irritating.

A synthetic UV filter with limited public research; may offer broad-spectrum protection but is not widely used in mainstream products.

A synthetic UV filter that helps shield skin from harmful rays, but its use is limited to certain regions and formulations.

Octinoxate is a widely used UVB filter that protects skin from sunburn, but it has raised environmental concerns and may cause skin reactions in some people.

Octocrylene is a widely used sunscreen ingredient that effectively absorbs UVB rays, but it has raised some environmental and stability concerns.

Octrizole is a synthetic UV filter that helps protect skin from sun damage, but it's less common in the US than in Europe and Asia.

Octyldodecyl Methoxycrylene is a synthetic photostabilizer that helps keep other sunscreen filters effective longer when exposed to sunlight.

A synthetic UV filter that helps protect your skin from sun damage, but it's not a primary active in most products.

PEG-25 PABA is an older UV filter that effectively absorbs UVB rays but has fallen out of favor due to potential skin sensitivity and environmental concerns.

A highly effective, photostable UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection without the white cast of older mineral sunscreens.

A dual-action ingredient that softens skin while helping to absorb UV rays, but its sun protection role is limited and usually paired with other filters.

A synthetic stabilizer that helps sunscreens stay effective and feel lighter on skin, but it's not a direct skin-care active.

A modern synthetic UV filter that offers broad-spectrum protection with a good safety profile, but is not yet as widely studied as older filters.

A synthetic ingredient that helps sunscreens feel silky and keeps UV filters stable, but it's not a primary active on its own.

Phenyl salicylate offers mild UV protection but may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

A widely used, water-soluble UVB filter that offers effective sunburn protection without a heavy feel.

A widely used, water-soluble UVB filter that is generally gentle on skin but offers no UVA protection on its own.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps protect skin from sunburn, but its use is limited to certain regions due to varying regulatory approvals.

Polysilicone-15 is a safe, non-irritating silicone that helps sunscreen stay on your skin longer and feel lighter.

A synthetic UVB filter that helps shield skin from sunburn, but its use is limited in some regions due to regulatory differences.

A specialized silicone that helps sunscreens stay effective and feel lightweight, but it's purely synthetic and not a moisturizer.

A safe, mineral-based pigment blend that provides broad-spectrum UV protection and natural-looking coverage without common chemical sunscreen irritants.

A modern, photostable sunscreen ingredient that offers reliable broad-spectrum protection without the white cast of older mineral filters.

A safe, water-soluble UVB filter that feels lightweight and is less likely to clog pores, but offers no UVA protection on its own.