Skincare ingredients for sun protection
Our research data links 37 ingredients to sun protection. 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 protection?
In our data, the strongest evidence for sun protection is behind Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate (Amiloxate), Avobenzone, and Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid.
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| Ingredient | Evidence | Studied at | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate (Amiloxate) | 🏛 Regulatory evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Avobenzone | 🏛 Regulatory evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid | 🏛 Regulatory evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Bemotrizinol | 🏛 Regulatory evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
| Bisdisulizole disodium | 🏛 Regulatory evidence | Study dose: not found yet | Low concern |
- Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate (Amiloxate)Low concern
Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 249 products
- AvobenzoneLow concern
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 831 products
- Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic AcidLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 6%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- BemotrizinolLow concern
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
- US limit: up to 6%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
- Reference: FDA, 2026
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,496 products
- Bisdisulizole disodiumLow concern
Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 5 products
- Sodium sulisobenzone (Benzophenone-5)Low concern
Benzophenone-5
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 5% (added up with BP4)
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 116 products
- Camphor Benzalkonium MethosulfateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 6%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- Diethylhexyl butamido triazoneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 163 products
- Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
- Reference: European Commission, 2026
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,507 products
- Drometrizole trisiloxaneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 15%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 194 products
- EcamsuleLow concern
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 354 products
- Ethylhexyl triazoneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,018 products
- EnsulizoleLow concern
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 8%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 297 products
Bis-(Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Benzoyl) Piperazine
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
Study dose: not found yet
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- HomosalateModerate concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 7.34% (face, not in spray cans)
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: use with care · Listed in 736 products
- BisoctrizoleLow concern
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 346 products
Study dose: not found yet
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 3%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3 products
- OctisalateModerate concern
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,535 products
- OctocryleneLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
- EU limit: up to 9% (in spray cans)
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 777 products
- OctinoxateLow concern
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: use with care · Listed in 1,398 products
- OxybenzoneModerate concern
Benzophenone-3
Study dose: not found yet
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: use with care · Listed in 61 products
- Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene CamphorLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 6%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- Padimate OLow concern
Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 8%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 4 products
- Phenylene Bis-DiphenyltriazineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Not in our product list yet
- PEG-25 PABALow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1 product
- Polysilicone-15Low concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 509 products
- SulisobenzoneLow concern
Benzophenone-4
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to about 5%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 107 products
- Tris-biphenyl triazineLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 10%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3 products
- Titanium dioxideLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 25%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 4,355 products
- Titanium Dioxide (nano)Low concern
Study dose: not found yet
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 4 products
- Zinc oxideLow concern
Study dose: not found yet
- EU limit: up to 25%
A limit is the most a product may hold, not the amount that works.
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: not advised against on skin · Listed in 1,626 products
- Zinc Oxide (nano)Low concern
Study dose: not found yet
This does not say how much one filter adds to SPF or skin-cancer prevention. That needs the whole product tested with light, including crystal form, particle size, dissolving and the film it makes.
- Reference: European Union
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 3 products
- Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3; CI77491)Low concern
CI 77491
Study dose: not found yet
A helper pigment for visible-light protection. We did not find data that measured how much UV this one ingredient blocks on its own. The effect of finished products for preventing melasma has to be judged separately.
- Reference: Castanedo-Cazares et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,539 products
- Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4; CI77499)Low concern
CI 77499
Study dose: not found yet
A helper pigment for visible-light protection. We did not find data that measured how much UV this one ingredient blocks on its own. The effect of finished products for preventing melasma has to be judged separately.
- Reference: Castanedo-Cazares et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 657 products
- Iron(III) oxyhydroxide (FeOOH; CI77492)Low concern
CI 77492
Study dose: not found yet
A helper pigment for visible-light protection. We did not find data that measured how much UV this one ingredient blocks on its own. The effect of finished products for preventing melasma has to be judged separately.
- Reference: Castanedo-Cazares et al., 2014
Pregnancy: – · Listed in 1,140 products
– = no pregnancy research data yet
Which ingredients for sun protection are advised against in pregnancy?
None of the 37 ingredients here carries an 'advised to avoid' verdict for pregnancy in our data.
Use with care (the reason is on each ingredient page): Homosalate, Octinoxate, and Oxybenzone.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
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