Chemical Compounds In Sunscreen

Avobenzone up to 3.

Chemical compounds in sunscreen. Homosalate up to 15. The two inorganic compounds used are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Sunscreens also contain carbon containing molecules that absorb light such as oxybenzone octinoxate octisalate and avobenzone. Titanium dioxide is often a primary ingredient in sunscreen because it works well as a uv filtering ingredient.

P aminobenzoic acid paba up to 15. Sunscreen lotions vary enormously with their active ingredients. How does sunscreen work. The first sunscreens containing only these chemicals would have left a visible white layer on the skin.

Most sun protection products work by absorbing reflecting or scattering sunlight. Dioxybenzone up to 3. These compounds are often described as merely providing a physical reflective barrier to uv light but in fact they can absorb the uv radiation and dissipate it harmlessly. In contrast chemical sunscreens absorb the sun s rays convert the rays into heat and release them into the skin the dermatologist explains.

Additionally you may notice on some sunscreen labels the molecule ethylhexyl methoxycrylene. It absorbs the sun s rays before they can harm the skin chemical formulas consist of organic carbon based compounds like. Methyl anthranilate up to 5. Cinoxate up to 3.

Octocrylene up to 10. The following list of active chemical compounds found in sunscreen formulas are approved by fda legislation. In response the fda redid the study this time including six active ingredients in chemical sunscreens. Peredo says to think of chemical sunscreen like a sponge.