Protective cosmetic ingredients
UV filters, antioxidants, and ingredients that protect skin from external factors. Modern filters and ones to avoid.
All ingredients in this category
Avobenzone
ADimethicone
ATitanium Dioxide
AMethoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
AZinc Oxide
AAscorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
BAcetyl Zingerone
BBenzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol
BBeta-Carotene
BBis-Glyceryl Ascorbate
BButyloctyl Salicylate
BCamellia Sinensis Leaf Water
BGallyl Glucoside
BHomosalate
BDisodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
BDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
BDiethylhexyl 2,6-Naphthalate
BDiethylhexyl Syringylidenemalonate
BHydroxydecyl Ubiquinone
BIdebenone
BIsoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate
BIscotrizinol
BCaffeine
BXanthophylls
BMicrococcus Lysate
BMexoryl SX
BMexoryl XL
BMelanin
BNaringenin
BSodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
BSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate
BNordihydroguaiaretic Acid
BOxidized Glutathione
BOctadecyl Di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate
BOctinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
BParaffin
BPolysilicone-15
BResveratrol
BResveratrol Dimethyl Ether
BResveratrolarginine
BTannic Acid
BTetrahydrodemethoxydiferuloylmethane
BTinosorb M
BTinosorb S
BTocotrienols
BTocopherol (Vitamin E)
BTocophersolan
BTris-Biphenyl Triazine
BUbiquinone (CoQ10)
BPhenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine
BFerulic Acid
BEryngium Maritimum Callus Culture Filtrate
BPhloretin
BCiclopirox Olamine
BDunaliella Salina Extract
BHaematococcus Pluvialis Extract
BGanoderma Lucidum (Mushroom) Extract
BPhaeodactylum Tricornutum Extract
BPanax Ginseng Extract
BCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
BGreen Tea Extract
BPanax Ginseng Callus Culture Extract
BPolygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract
BZingiber Officinale Root Extract
BPolypodium Leucotomos Root Extract
BPinus Pinaster Bark Extract
BPorphyra Umbilicalis Extract
BLeontopodium Alpinum Callus Culture Extract
BPanax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
BBrassica Oleracea Acephala (Kale) Leaf Extract
BPyrus Malus (Apple) Leaf Extract
BAndrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract
BCamellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract
BOlea Europaea Leaf Extract
BDaucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Extract
BForsythia Suspensa Fruit Extract
BEuterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract
BLycium Barbarum Fruit Extract
BVaccinium Angustifolium (Blueberry) Fruit Extract
BPunica Granatum (Pomegranate) Fruit Extract
BSchisandra Sphenanthera Fruit Extract
BHippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract
BSambucus Nigra (Black Elderberry) Fruit Extract
BSilybum Marianum Extract
BArabidopsis Thaliana Extract
BPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
BEpigallocatechin Gallatyl Glucoside
BErgothioneine
BEthylbisiminomethylguaiacol Manganese Chloride
BEthylhexyl Methoxycrylene
BEthylhexyl Salicylate
BEthylhexyl Triazone
BEthoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
BL-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Medium irritationBN-Acetylcarnosine
B4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
CAmodimethicone
CAstaxanthin
CBHT
CBenzyl Alcohol
Medium irritationCBenzophenone-4
CHydroxyacetophenone
CSodium Hydroxide
CHydroxycinnamic Acid
CDimethiconol
CDisodium EDTA
CCarnosine
CBixa Orellana Seed Oil
CMeradimate
CPadimate O
Medium irritationCSuperoxide Dismutase
CTocopheryl Acetate
CPhenyl Trimethicone
CPunica Granatum Pericarp Extract
CDaucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
CSalvia Miltiorrhiza Root Extract
CEdelweiss Extract
CEnsulizole
CAcrylates Copolymer
DAscorbyl Palmitate
DOxybenzone
Medium irritationDOctocrylene
Medium irritationDThermus Thermophillus Ferment
DSolanum Melongena Fruit Extract
DRosemary Extract
D
Highest-evidence picks
Avobenzone
Broad-spectrum chemical UVA filter. Covers the UVA1 range (340–400 nm) where mineral filters are weaker. Photounstable – requires stabilizers (octocrylene, Tinosorb S).
Dimethicone
Silicone polymer that forms a protective film on the skin to lock in moisture. Gives products a silky texture and does not penetrate the dermis.
Titanium Dioxide
Mineral UV filter effective mainly in the UVB and short-wave UVA range. Often combined with zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection.
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
Newest organic UV filter. Approved in the EU in 2022 and used in L'Oreal lines (La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400, Vichy Capital Soleil). Covers the longest-wavelength UVA range (UVA-I up to 400 nm), which most other filters do not reach. Used alongside Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, and other modern filters.
Zinc Oxide
Broad-spectrum mineral UV filter (UVA + UVB). Acts as a physical screen, reflecting and scattering ultraviolet light. Also has anti-inflammatory and drying properties.
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
Oil-soluble vitamin C derivative. More stable than L-ascorbic acid with better penetration through the lipid barrier. Converts to ascorbic acid inside the skin.
What to know
Protective ingredients split into two classes: UV filters and antioxidants. UV filters are either mineral (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) or organic (avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, Tinosorb S/M, Mexoryl SX/XL/400, Uvinul A Plus, Uvinul T 150). Mineral filters act as a physical shield, reflecting and scattering ultraviolet. Organic filters absorb UV photon energy and convert it to heat.
Modern filters (Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Mexoryl 400, Uvinul A Plus) are photostable, cover the full UVA–UVB spectrum, and photostabilise avobenzone. Approved in the EU and Asia since the 2000s, but not in the US (Mexoryl 400 and Tinosorb S are not FDA-approved). This explains the quality gap between European and American sunscreens: European formulas deliver broader-spectrum protection at the same SPF levels.
Oxybenzone and octinoxate are under scrutiny for endocrine activity and are banned in Hawaii and Palau due to coral-reef harm. PABA and its derivatives (padimate O) are outdated and carry a high allergy risk. Benzophenone-3 is limited to 2.2% in the EU but still common in US formulas.
Antioxidants extend protection from within the formula: the vitamin C + vitamin E + ferulic acid combination neutralises free radicals that UV filters let through. Niacinamide, resveratrol, ergothioneine, and astaxanthin act as a bonus layer on top of SPF for urban skin under oxidative stress.
A daytime routine with evidence-based protection: SPF 30–50 with modern UV filters in the morning + a vitamin C and ferulic acid serum underneath.
Frequently asked
How many protection ingredients are in the Evigrade database?
Evigrade currently tracks 125 ingredients in the «protection» category. Of those, 95 carry evidence tier A or B.
Which protection ingredients are safe during pregnancy?
101 ingredients in this category are flagged as safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. 2 should be avoided. Always confirm the choice with an OB-GYN.
Which ingredients suit sensitive skin?
115 ingredients in this category show both low irritation potential and low allergen risk, making them safe even for reactive and sensitised skin. A patch test is still advisable before first use.
How should I start using ingredients from this category?
Start with a single high-evidence ingredient (tier A or B) at a low concentration, 2–3 times per week. After 2–3 weeks without reaction, frequency can be increased. Do not introduce two new actives at once – if skin reacts, you won't know which one caused it.