Which sunscreens are excluded by Typology?

At Typology, in accordance with our formulation charter, we always ensure to respect two factors when selecting ingredients for our formulas: their impact on health and the environment.

Therefore, our list of prohibited ingredients, "Ban List", is currently one of the strictest on the market. We strive to exclude from our formulas many ingredients that may pose a risk to human health or the environment. This applies to active ingredients, solvents, preservatives, surfactants, and UV filters. To date, 28 sunscreen filters are authorized by European Regulation No. 1223/2009 governing the use of skincare products. However, as a precautionary measure for our consumers and the environment, we exclude some from our formulations:

• The benzophenone-1 (INCI: Benzophenone-1) : Benzophenone-1 is a sun filter primarily found in nail polish that protects against UVA rays. It is suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor and poses an allergy and irritation risk. Furthermore, benzophenone-1 is suspected of being toxic to aquatic environments.

• The benzophenone-2 (INCI: Benzophenone-2) : Benzophenone-2 is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is seldom used due to suspicions of it disrupting the endocrine system and causing irritations and allergic reactions. This UV filter also has suspected aquatic ecotoxicity.

• The benzophenone-3 (INCI: Benzophenone-3) : Benzophenone-3, also known as oxybenzone, is a sunscreen filter that is approved for use in cosmetics up to 6% in the European Union and the United States. However, it is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor and potentially carcinogenic, and studies have shown that it can be an irritant and a photo-allergen. Benzophenone-3 also poses a risk to the environment, specifically aquatic ecosystems.

• The benzophenone-4 (INCI: Benzophenone-4) : Benzophenone-4 is a sun filter that protects against UVA and UVB rays. It is authorized for use up to 5% in Europe and 10% in the United States. However, it carries the same risks as benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-2.

• The benzophenone-5 (INCI: Benzophenone-5) : While authorized in the European Union, benzophenone-5 is not permitted in the United States. This sun filter is suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor. Additionally, it is a potential allergen and irritant.

• The benzyl salicylate (INCI: Benzyl Salicylate) : This UV filter is among the 80 allergens identified by the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) and listed in the European Regulation. In addition to its allergenic nature, it is suspected of disrupting the hormonal system.

• The butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (INCI: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) : Also known as avobenzone, this UVA sunscreen filter is permitted up to 5% in Europe compared to 3% in the United States. However, it poses several potential issues for health (suspected endocrine disruptor, suspected skin penetration, toxic to the body) and the environment (potential aquatic ecotoxicity, potential PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic)).

• The camphor benzalkonium methosulfate (INCI: Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate) : This is a sunscreen filter permitted up to 5% in the European Union but prohibited in the United States. It does not present presumably any risks to the environment but is a potential skin irritant.

• The ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA (INCI: Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA) : Padimate-O, or Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA, is a UVB sunscreen filter permitted up to 8% in Europe and the United States. We do not use it in our products because it is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor, mutagenic, carcinogenic, allergenic, and irritating.

• The ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (INCI: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) : Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, also known as octinoxate, is a UVB sunscreen filter approved up to 10% in the European Union and 7.5% in the United States. In addition to potentially destabilizing aquatic environments, it is suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor and being capable of penetrating the skin barrier.

• The ethylhexyl salicylate (INCI: Ethylhexyl Salicylate) : Authorized up to 5% in Europe and the United States, this UVB sunscreen filter is a potential endocrine disruptor and irritant and is suspected to be toxic to aquatic environments.

• The homosalate (INCI: Homosalate) : Homosalate is a UVB sunscreen filter, the use of which is limited to 15% in European care products and 7.34% in the United States. In addition to being an atmospheric pollutant and toxic to aquatic environments, it is suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor and a mutagen, and it may be able to penetrate the skin barrier.

• The amiloxate (INCI: Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate) : Authorized up to 10% in the European Union but banned in the United States, Amiloxate is a UVB sunscreen filter that is suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor and being toxic to the aquatic environment.

• The 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (INCI: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor) : The 4-methylbenzylidene camphor is a UVB sunscreen filter permitted up to 4% in European skincare products. We exclude it from our formulas because it is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor, potentially genotoxic, and able to penetrate the skin barrier.

• The methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (INCI: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol) : Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol is a sunscreen filter suspected of acting as an endocrine disruptor and being an allergen and an irritant. Moreover, this substance is bioaccumulative, non-biodegradable, and exhibits aquatic ecotoxicity.

• The nanoparticles of methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (INCI: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol [nano]) : These nanoparticles pose a risk of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity and are suspected of crossing the skin barrier, causing inflammatory effects when inhaled, and irritating the skin. Additionally, they are suspected of accumulating in the environment, exhibiting a low potential for biodegradation, and being toxic to aquatic environments.

• The octocrylene (INCI: Octocrylene) : Octocrylene is a UVB sunscreen filter authorized up to 10% in the European Union and the United States. However, it is a persistent molecule, bioaccumulative, and not easily biodegradable, and an atmospheric pollutant. Moreover, octocrylene is a suspected endocrine disruptor, a suspected carcinogen, a suspected mutagen, and a potential allergen that may be capable of crossing the skin barrier.

• The polysilicone-15 (INCI: Polysilicone-15) : Prohibited in the United States but present in up to 10% of European sunscreens, polysilicone-15 is a potential UVB sunscreen filter that may penetrate the skin and poses a risk to aquatic ecosystems.

• Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (INCI: Titanium Dioxide [nano]) : Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen filter. However, in addition to their suspected aquatic ecotoxicity, they potentially have the ability to penetrate the skin. They are also suspected of being carcinogenic when inhaled and mutagenic.

• The nanoparticles of tris-biphenyl triazine (INCI: Tris-Biphenyl Triazine [nano]) : This UVA and UVB sunscreen filter is suspected to penetrate the skin and cause inflammation when inhaled.

• The nanoparticles of zinc oxide (INCI: Zinc Oxide [nano]) : Zinc oxide nanoparticles are a broad-spectrum sunscreen also used as a colorant (CI 77947). However, they potentially penetrate the skin and are suspected to be reprotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic. Moreover, zinc oxide nanoparticles are potentially toxic to aquatic environments.