Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

This an ongoing cheat sheet of resources and facts about sunscreen, it isn’t complete and it might have flaws. Find a master list of all sunscreen reviews on the blog below!

Last update on August 5th, 2024

Understanding the Label

PA: Mainly used in Japanese & Korean Brands. PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. The PA+ corresponds to a UVA protection factor between two and four, PA++ between four and eight, and PA+++ more than eight. This system was revised in 2013 to include PA++++ which corresponds to a PPD rating of sixteen or above. (Source)

On the blog: How to read UVA labels

How much sunscreen should I apply?

This is a summary we did on our instagram channel.

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Resources:

How Much Exactly is 2.0 mg/cm2 -The Amount of Sunscreen Necessary to Achieve the Labeled SPF Rating?

Want more?!

How much sunscreen does your face need?

Sunscreen tips & tricks

SPF Geekery

The history of sunscreen
The problem with American sunscreen
The Sunscreen Summit (YouTube, by Labmuffin & Theecowell)

Sunscreen Filters

Sunscreen Filter	Type	Spectrum	Remarks
Avobenzone / Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane	chemical / organic	full UVA protection	not photostable
Drometrizole Trisiloxane / Mexoryl XL	chemical / organic	broad spectrum,with peak absorbance at 303 nm (UVB) and at 344 nm (UVA)	L’Oreal exclusive, oil soluble, photostable.
Ensulizole / Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid	chemical / organic	strong UVB protection (280-320nm) range with its peak protection at 306 nm	Not oil but water soluble, ideal to create light, oily skin compatible formula. Fairly photostable and can be used to protect other less stable UV filters (eg. avobenzone). Approved worldwide and can be used up to 4% in the US and up to 8% in the EU.
Homosalate	chemical / organic	UVB with peak at 306nm	Not a strong filter (SPF 4.3 at 10% concentration), not photostable (loses 10% protection in 45 mins), used with other filters to solubilize.
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate / MCE / Mexoryl 400	chemical / organic	UVA with peak absorbance at 385 nm	Especially effective for ultra long UVA (370-400nm)
Octinoxate / Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate / Octyl Methoxycinnamate	chemical / organic	UVB (at wavelengths: 280-320 nm) with a peak protection at 310nm	clear, oil-soluble, “cosmetically-elegant” liquid, not photostable (loses 10% of its SPF protection ability within 35 mins), needs other filters to stabilize (like Tinosorb S)
Octisalate / Ethylhexyl Salicylate / Octyl Salicylate	chemical / organic	UVB (280-320 nm) with peak at 306 nm	not a strong filter, used with other filters to solubilize.
Octocrylene	chemical / organic	UVB & UVA II with peak at 304 nm	quite photostable (loses 10% protection in 95 mins), used to stabilize other filters (eg Avobenzone), often used to improve water resistance of products
Polysilicone-15 / Parsol SLX	chemical / organic	UVB (290-320 nm), peak at 312 nm	Colorless to pale yellow liquid with nice and non-shiny finish. Can stabilize Avobenzone and works well with Ensulizole
Tinosorb A2B / Tris-Biphenyl Triazine	chemical / organic	most efficient UVB and UVA2 filter	highly photostable and has high SPF performance at low concentrations, only available in the EU (as 2016)
Tinosorb M / Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol / Bisoctrizole	chemical / organic	broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 305 nm & 360 nm)	highly photostable, not available in the US, can help stabilize other filters (eg Octinoxate)
Tinosorb S / Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine / Bemotrizinol	chemical / organic	broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB, 280-400 nm, peak at 310-345 nm)	very photostable, available elsewhere but the US
Uvinul A Plus / Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate	chemical / organic	high UVA protection (320-400 nm) with peak protection at 354nm	high photostability, can be used up to 10%, available elsewhere but the US & Canada
Titanium Dioxide	physical / inorganic	UVB & UVA II – less good at UVA I	possible white cast
Titanium Dioxide (nano)	physical / inorganic	UVB & UVA II – less good at UVA I	less white cast potential than the non-nano variation
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid / Mexoryl SX / Ecamsule	chemical / organic	UVA, peak absorbance at 345 nm	L’Oreal exclusive, water soluble
Ethylhexyl Triazone / Uvinul T 150	chemical / organic	photostable UVB filter	oil soluble, odorless & colorless powder, available elsewhere except the US & Canada
Zinc Oxide	physical / inorganic	UVB, UVA II, and UVA I	good stability and good as a skin protectant and anti-irritant. Might leave a white cast