Skincare ingredients for sun damage
Our research data links 23 ingredients to sun damage. Strongest evidence comes first, each with the studies behind it.
A research list, not medical advice. If a skin condition worries you, see a dermatologist.
Which ingredients have the most evidence for sun damage?
In our data, the strongest evidence for sun damage is behind All-trans-Retinol, L-Ascorbic Acid, and α-Tocopherol.
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| Ingredient | Evidence | Studied at | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-trans-Retinol | 🧪 Clinical evidence | clinical 0.075%, 0.4%; Korean notice 0.075% equivalent | Moderate concern |
| L-Ascorbic Acid | 🧪 Clinical evidence | clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15% | Low concern |
| α-Tocopherol | 📄 Literature evidence | photoprotection combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A | Low concern |
| trans-Ferulic Acid | 📄 Literature evidence | combination clinical 0.5% | Low concern |
| All-trans-Retinal (Retinaldehyde) | 🧪 Clinical evidence | clinical 0.05%, 0.1% | Moderate concern |
- All-trans-RetinolModerate concern
Retinol
Studied at clinical 0.075%, 0.4%; Korean notice 0.075% equivalent
- Reference: Kafi et al., 2007
- Reference: Kikuchi et al., 2009
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 586 products
- L-Ascorbic AcidLow concern
Ascorbic Acid
Studied at clinical 5%; photoprotection combination product 15%
The 5% 6-month study showed improvement of existing photoaging; the 15% LAA + 1% alpha-tocopherol + 0.5% ferulic acid study assessed photoprotection before irradiation.
- Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 1,422 products
- α-TocopherolLow concern
Tocopherol
Studied at photoprotection combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A
Reduced damage from a combination applied before UV exposure. Not a study that repaired all DNA damage that had already occurred.
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 8,282 products
- trans-Ferulic AcidLow concern
Ferulic Acid
Studied at combination clinical 0.5%
Reduced damage from a combination applied before UV exposure. Not a study that repaired all DNA damage that had already occurred.
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
- Reference: Lin et al., 2005
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 281 products
- All-trans-Retinal (Retinaldehyde)Moderate concern
Retinal
Studied at clinical 0.05%, 0.1%
- Reference: Kwon et al., 2018
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 135 products
- BakuchiolLow concern
Studied at clinical 0.5%
- Reference: Dhaliwal et al., 2019
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 353 products
- Glycolic acidModerate concern
Studied at clinical 8% leave-on
- Reference: Stiller et al., 1996
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 665 products
- L-(+)-Lactic acidModerate concern
Lactic Acid
Studied at clinical 8% L-form leave-on
- Reference: Stiller et al., 1996
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 1,119 products
- NiacinamideLow concern
Studied at clinical 2-5%; Korean notice whitening 2-5%
- Reference: Bissett et al., 2004
- Reference: Draelos et al., 2006
- Reference: Kimball et al., 2010
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 8,542 products
- Anacystis nidulans CPD photolyaseLow concern
Studied at N/A; enzyme activity and liposome conditions needed
CPD reduction under specific enzyme, liposome and photoreactivation conditions. It does not guarantee the same efficacy as general photolyase extracts.
- Reference: Stege et al., 2000
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Not in our product list yet
- IdebenoneLow concern
Hydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
Studied at clinical 0.5%, 1%; no vehicle control
- Reference: McDaniel et al., 2005
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 147 products
- MadecassosideLow concern
Studied at combination clinical 0.1% + LAA 5%; stand-alone N/A
- Reference: Haftek et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 2,284 products
- Ubiquinone-10Low concern
Ubiquinone
Studied at N/A; the study states the formulation in uM
- Reference: Knott et al., 2015
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 334 products
- trans-ResveratrolLow concern
Resveratrol
Studied at combination clinical 1%; stand-alone range N/A
- Reference: Farris et al., 2014
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 208 products
- Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateLow concern
Studied at stand-alone N/A; combination product 7% + LAA 10%
- Reference: Fitzpatrick and Rostan, 2002
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 280 products
- Hydroxypinacolone 9-cis retinoateModerate concern
Studied at early clinical 0.03%
- Reference: Hu et al., 2026
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
- Sodium Acetylated HyaluronateLow concern
Studied at clinical 0.2% for 6 hours; 0.1% for 1-2 months
- Reference: Meunier et al., 2022
- Reference: CIR, 2023
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Listed in 2,228 products
- Hydroxypinacolone retinoateModerate concern
Studied at N/A; only a ratio is known from the combination
- Reference: Wang et al., 2023
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 104 products
- Methoxy PEG-12 RetinamideModerate concern
Studied at Korean notice 0.05-0.2%
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 9 products
- Retinyl palmitateModerate concern
Studied at Korean notice about 0.55% equivalent; stand-alone clinical N/A
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, 2023
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 407 products
- Retinyl propionateModerate concern
Studied at N/A; the 0.15% study showed no significant difference between groups
- Reference: Green et al., 1998
- Reference: Wang et al., 2023
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Listed in 9 products
- Bacteriophage T4 endonuclease VLow concern
Endonuclease V
Studied at N/A; T4N5 liposome study formulation
A liposome study in the special disease XP. In the general-skin photoaging efficacy assessment it is handled as evidence not confirmed.
- Reference: Yarosh et al., 2001
Pregnancy: not rated yet · Not in our product list yet
Which ingredients for sun damage need a doctor?
1 ingredient here is prescription-only or for in-clinic use in the US. We list them so you can look them up; they never go into a PERBETE routine.
Retinoic Acid
Studied at clinical 0.025-0.1%; typical 0.05%
- Reference: Griffiths et al., 1995
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
Which ingredients for sun damage are advised against in pregnancy?
In our data, pregnancy guidance advises avoiding All-trans-Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin), All-trans-Retinol, All-trans-Retinal (Retinaldehyde), Hydroxypinacolone 9-cis retinoate, Hydroxypinacolone retinoate, Methoxy PEG-12 Retinamide, Retinyl palmitate, and Retinyl propionate. Each ingredient page names the source.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
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A free quiz picks products for your concerns and leaves out ingredients you tell it to avoid. Answer 5 questions, skip the rest.