Ingredient glossary
Tinosorb S
On your shelf ✓What Tinosorb S does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine · Also: BEMT
In short: Tinosorb S delivers broad spectrum uv protection, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong.
- What it does
- Broad spectrum uv protection
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Evidence
- Strong
- How long
- Straight away
The molecule
The Glow take
Only as good as the sunscreen it lives in.
As a single filter, Tinosorb S only matters as part of a finished sunscreen you actually reapply. The best SPF is the one that feels good enough to wear every morning.
— Maya
What it does
- broad spectrum uv protection
strong evidenceStudies and manufacturer data show Tinosorb S significantly boosts SPF and prevents photodegradation of avobenzone and cinnamate filters, with minimal skin penetration.
On a label: usually effective at 3-10%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
- sensitive
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Where it fits in your routine
This one works on contact — there is nothing to wait for.
What that covers, and what it does not
Measured on: UV attenuation by the applied film — SPF and UVA-PF contribution, plus in-film photostabilisation of partner filters.
Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine is an EU Annex VI filter permitted to 10% and is not an approved filter in the US, so no OTC monograph applies; protection is delivered by the film at first application under the same ISO 24444 timing. Its second function, protecting avobenzone and cinnamates from photodegradation, is also immediate and in-film — it happens during the same exposure, not after a course of use. No skin remodelling is involved in either role, so nothing here is waiting to develop.
EU Reg 1223/2009 Annex VI; ISO 24444:2019 and ISO 24443; manufacturer photostability data for the stabilisation clause.
Plays well with
- avobenzone
- octocrylene
- mineral filters
Tinosorb S, answered
Is Tinosorb S safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Tinosorb S is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Tinosorb S?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Tinosorb S. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Tinosorb S actually works?
Tinosorb S tends to do its job in the 3 to 10% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
Can you mix Tinosorb S with
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.