Introducing The Best Sunscreen Yet: Tinosorb!
For all of you out there who love a good sunscreen as much as I do, there is new hope: Tinosorb (bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine). Unlike some other sunscreens, Tinosorb is highly photostable, retaining its levels of UV protection even after exposure to UV rays. Yet, the best part of Tinosorb is that it is the most effective UV protection available for both UVA and UVB rays, according to a 2007 study published in the European journal Pharmazie. Tinosorb’s secret? It is not just a physical sunscreen that prevents UV rays from hitting the skin, or just a chemical sunscreen that prevents transmitted rays from damaging the skin, but instead, works as both, shielding and protecting the skin. Pretty incredible!
Based on current studies, it does not seem that long-term exposure to Tinosorb has any damaging effects, nor does it seem that irritation is common. Still, Tinosorb is a relatively new ingredient, and further studies need to be done to determine the ingredient’s true side effects, if any.
One further downside to this phenomenal sunscreen: Tinosorb has not yet acquired US FDA approval, as the process takes longer in the U.S. than in Europe, Asia, or Canada. According to MyWomanStuff.com, Tinosorb is available with powerhouse sunscreen Mexoryl in the European and Asian-marketed L’Oreal UV Perfect (iMallSingapore.com).
Can’t bring yourself to order overseas or to wait for FDA approval? Try using Tinosorb in the wash: According to the textbook Cosmetic Dermatology, an additional way to get the benefits of Tinosorb is to wash your clothes with it, as Tinosorb has a disulfonic acid triazine backbone that enables it to bind to cotton fabrics. The product is RIT Sunguard Laundry Treatment ($20.00, Amazon.com).
I’ll be updating when more information is available about Tinosorb products!
Hi there, thanks for the link back. Actually, Tinosorb is available here in Asia under the Eucerin White Solution Whitening Extra Treatment Fluid SPF40 which I have also reviewed and which I love! The Loreal UV Perfect uses Mexoryl as its chemical sunscreen. I’m glad to know that Tinosorb is a good ingredient.
Comment by parisb | July 22, 2008
I think it’s also in the Bioderma Photomax products from Europe and in asia too. It’s in some other European sunscreens as well, which I unfortunately can’t recall at the moment. Anything by L’oreal or L’oreal owned will likely have Mexoryl as they own the patent for that one.
Comment by va | July 23, 2008
Hi Nick! Tinasorb is very common in many brazilian sunscreens… Do you know if Tinarsorb is water-soluble?
Comment by Pedro | July 23, 2008
I hope this ingredient will start to replace that darn octinoxate in the future… unless I react to this too, which would be no good
Comment by Liz | July 25, 2008
So am I better off using Soltan for the tinosorb or La Roche Posay Anthelios XL for the mexoryl?
The other thing that confuses me, soltan gives a UVA rating in terms of stars, five stars being the maximum. Roche Posay seems to have something for measuring UVA protection called PPD. How can I work out what the Roche Posay UVA rating is in terms of the five star system?
Comment by K | July 28, 2008
K, there is no way of converting Boots stars into PPD and back. The Anthelios XL line is great though and also used Tinosorb S, just like many other European L’Oreal sunscreens.
Comment by Vanity | August 1, 2008
Thank you Vanity - I didn’t know Anthelios XL had tinosorb as well as mexoryl (I don’t know the relevant chemical names to look for in the ingredient list). I am in the UK, they have just started selling Roche Posay here.
Comment by K | August 3, 2008
Heliabrine a cosmetics company from Monaco has a sunscreen with Tinosorb it is called Solar defense and is fantastic.I am a Derm and have all my clients order it online
Comment by Vanessa | August 3, 2008
I have ordered the Heliabrine from a distributor in Naples Fl-It is expensive but there is nothing better.They have the lip balm too
Comment by Julie | August 3, 2008