Effective active ingredients in a sunscreen
Monday, 17 August 2009
By now, most of you are already aware that you should be looking for a sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. However, until the new rating system for UVA protection comes into effect, we can’t tell for sure if the sunscreen we purchase really offers protection as it claims unless we examine the ingredient list. So what are the effective active ingredients in sunscreens that will protect us from both UVA and UVB rays?
According to the American Cancer Society, products with an SPF of 15 or higher that also contain Avobenzone, Ecamsule, Zinc Oxide, or Titanium Dioxide are likely to be effective against UVB and most UVA rays.
Avobenzone
Sometimes listed under its trade name Parsol 1789 or Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, this is an oil soluble ingredient used in chemical sunscreens to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays. However, Avobenzone is shown to degrade significantly in light, resulting in less protection over time. Hence, if your chemical sunscreen contains this ingredient, it should also include other photostabilizing ingredients like Octocrylene. It has a low health hazard at level 2 according to information from the Environmental Working Group.
However, if you’re a mineral makeup user, you might be interested to know that in an earlier entry I wrote, I presented evidence that uncoated titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) can degrade avobenzone so it is best not to layer non-micronized mineral makeup with an avobenzone containing chemical sunscreen.
Ecamsule
Most frequently listed under its trade trade Mexoryl SX, this ingredient is developed by scientists at L’Oreal and is said to be virtually impervious to sun exposure. However, it is better used together with Mexoryl XL, also known as Drometrizole Trisiloxan to provide complete protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
As written in my early entry about Mexoryl sunscreens, the two Mexoryl molecules are able to work synergistically with each other and with other sunscreen filters including Avobenzone, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to provide full spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. In addition, Ecamsule has a low health hazard at level 3 according to information from the Environmental Working Group.
Titanium Dioxide
Commonly listed as TiO2, this ingredient is a physical blocker in sunscreens and is a white, opaque and naturally-occurring mineral found in many products, ranging from paint to food to cosmetics. In cosmetics, it has been chemically processed to remove the impurities, leaving the pure, white pigment available for use. Hence, sunscreens containing Titanium Dioxide most often leave an unattractive white cast.
There have been some controversies regarding the health hazards of using this ingredient but it is listed a low health hazard at level 1 according to information from the Environmental Working Group. However, the thing to note is that Titanium Dioxide by itself only provides partial UVA protection as seen in the chart taken from the Environmental Protection Agency above. The sunscreen with this ingredient should be formulated with other active ingredients like Zinc Oxide to provide broad spectrum protection.
Zinc Oxide
Finally, my favorite sunscreen ingredient. Sometimes listed as ZnO, this ingredient is also a physical blocker in sunscreens and deflect rays like a mirror instead of diffusing them. In certain formulation, this ingredient also leaves an unattractive white cast on the skin but it is the best sunscreen ingredient approved by FDA, offering broad spectrum protection on its own if sufficient amount is used in the formulation. I recall reading in an article it should at least be 16% to be effective although I don’t have the source to confirm that now. According to information from the Environmental Working Group, Zinc Oxide has a low health hazard rating of 2.
Tinosorb M & Tinosorb S
All the four ingredients listed above are approved by FDA. However, Tinosorb M and Tinosorb S, which have yet to be FDA approved, are also ingredients available in some European sunscreen formulations such as those from Avene and Eucerin. Tinosorb M and Tinosorb S are hybrid chemical UV absorbers and reflectors manufactured by Ciba. Tinosorb S (bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine) is oil soluble while its counter part Tinosorb M (methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol) is water soluble and both are said to be highly photostable, working as a physical sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen, shielding and protecting the skin. And according to information from the Environmental Working Group, Tinosorb S has no health hazard rating.
Silk-based ingredients
I have also recently come across a sunscreen – La Soie Silk Protein Nano Gold SPF 30+ – that does not contain any of these ingredients but is said to provide broad spectrum protection. I’m still testing it and will review it in due course.
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Posted in Ingredients101, Sun Protection | 24 Comments »
24 Comments to “Effective active ingredients in a sunscreen”
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August 17th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Hi. Is the picture of the La Soie Silk Protein Nano Gold SPF 30+
Where can I buy it in Singapore? Thanks
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 9:18 am
No, that’s not the picture of La Soie. It’s Marie-Veronique Organics. In Singapore, you can get it from Divine Medspa. Check out my post here http://www.vivawoman.net/2009/08/14/all-natural-silk-based-skin-care-facial-review/.
[Reply]
August 17th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Good and informative write-up, thanks!
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Thanks Flym!
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August 18th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Thanks for the information. Zinc Oxide is also my favorite. I burn easily and I don’t want my post-acne marks to get darker so I take sunscreen seriously.
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 18th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Yes, that’s important. The sun can make our scarrings worst.
[Reply]
August 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 am
Hi, do you have any idea for which is better “Eucerin everyday protection face lotion spf 30″ or “neutrogena sensitive skin sunblock lotion spf 30″? I have acne on my cheek and my skin is sensitive. which one is better for me? Thanks a lot!
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
Both are formulated for sensitive skin but in terms of protection level, Eucerin is better because it has a combination of sun protection ingredients. Neutrogena offers titanium dioxide only. But I won’t say for certain if Eucerin is good for acne-proned skin since it also has silicones.
[Reply]
August 24th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Thanks so much for your information. I went to Costco the other day and I saw ” Olay complete all day moisture lotion spf 15 for sensitive skin” which contains 6%octinixate and 3%zinc oxide. How about this one? Or can you please give me some suggestion for which sunscreen and night cream to use for my adult acne-proned and sensitive skin?
Thanks again!
ps. I really love to read all your posts!Very helpful!
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Hi Min Luo:
The Olay formulation will not give you sufficient protection against UVA. Octinoxate is Octyl Methoxycinnamate and you can see from the chart that it offers only partial protection against UVA. Though Zinc Oxide provides both UVA & UVB protection, 3% is very low.
For sunscreen, try something from La Roche Posay if it’s available to you. Theirs is very photostable plus many of their formulations are tested on sensitive skin. The other one is Marie-Veronique Organics I’m using now.
For night cream, hmm…a bit hard to recommend. You need to know what you want to do to your skin – like anti-aging, firming or just moisturizing? You can look at the same range under La Roche Posay or Marie-Veronique and see if they have something suitable for you. I’m sure there are.
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sesame Reply:
August 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Or you can also consider those from Olay. Their products are not too bad based on some of the reviews.
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August 25th, 2009 at 1:57 am
Thanks again! I checked “La Roche Posay Anthelios SX daily moisturizer with spf 15″, there is Isopropyl Palmitate in the ingredients. Does it clog pores?
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Potentially yes but if it’s not listed right at the top, the content maybe low.
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August 25th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Thanks a lot!
I have acne, but actually I have dry skin. So for me when I choose sunscreen or moisturizer, can I just pick those with “non-comedogenic”,but not “oil-free”?
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
August 25th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Yes you can. Non-comedogenic ones are supposedly non pore clogging.
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August 31st, 2009 at 11:32 am
[...] Viva Woman gives info on the most effective active ingredients in sunscreens. [...]
September 29th, 2009 at 1:34 am
[...] point. Be sure it has stable UV blocking ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Check out this article to learn which ingredients work best as sunscreens. Apply at least 30 minutes before going outside [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Do you think that if I mixed zinc oxide cream into my regular sunscreen, that is would add to better UVA protection?
I have some (10%) zinc oxide diaper rash cream that goes on rather clear (I am so pale anyway, I don’t really get a white cast. I wondered if you had heard anything like that, or knew anything about homemade sunscreens. I would think that it could help, it is the first and active ingredient.
Thank you very much.
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I’m not exactly sure cos the zinc oxide diaper cream may contain other ingredients. Well, I am hesitant as I’m not sure if the combination would be too much for the skin.
[Reply]
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:27 pm
hi, do u know if EGO QV moisturizer cream with SPF 30 really has active ingridients to be called as sunscreen? i checked the ingredients and didnt find out any zinc oxide or titanium dioxide formula. thanks for the info.
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:58 pm
I ran a quick check and it does have a mix of chemical and physical blockers.
Actives: 2.5% Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane,
7.0% octyl methoxycinnanmate, 1.9% titanium dioxide.
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January 31st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Hi, I’m currently in the lookout for a good sunblock but I’m still new at it so I don’t know which one to choose. I’m not fair but I realized that I’ve started forming ‘brown spots’ and fine lines, and I’m sure it’s because I wasn’t using good sunscreens. I read good reviews on DiorSnow SPF 50/PA+++ and purchased it. I’m contemplating getting Avene High Protection SPF50 (I don’t know the PA level) so i can use it whenever my skin is dry as DiorSnow tends to dry my skin a bit. Which do you think has better protection? If I’m using DiorSnow, does it affect the effectivity if I spray a bit of Evian / Avene Thermal water to settle it in and give a moist finish? This is a very informative article, LOL, although it made me worried if I’m using effective products.
[Reply]
sesame Reply:
February 1st, 2010 at 11:02 am
Avene maybe a good bet but I’m not certain about the texture. You have to test it at the counter to see if you like it.
I would say sunscreens are not 100%. You need other forms of protection and to minimize sun exposure if your skin is predispose to pigmentation. Personally, I take Heliocare as a form of oral sun protection on top of applying sunscreen when the weather is crazy like now…
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July 6th, 2010 at 10:57 am
[...] spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. I have actually written an entry regarding the effective active ingredients in a sunscreen but today, I’ll talk about three groups of active ingredients which I consider to be the [...]