Table 1.
US FDA-approved ultraviolet filters
| Ultraviolet filters | Categorya | Maximum concentration (%) | Peak absorption (nm) | Protection against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inorganic filters | ||||
| Titanium dioxide | GRASE (I) | 25 | Dependent on particle size | UVB, UVA2, UVA1, visible light |
| Zinc oxide | GRASE (I) | 25 | Dependent on particle size | UVB, UVA2, UVA1, visible light |
| Organic filters | ||||
| Benzophenones | ||||
| Dioxybenzone (benzophenone-8) | Non GRASE (III) | 3 | 352 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) | Non GRASE (III) | 6 | 288, 325 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Sulisobenzone (benzophenone-4) | Non GRASE (III) | 10 | 366 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Cinnamates | ||||
| Cinoxate | Non GRASE (III) | 3 | 289 | UVB |
| Octinoxate (octyl methoxycinnamate, Parsol MCX) | Non GRASE (III) | 8 | 311 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Others | ||||
| Butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane (avobenzone, Parsol 1789) | Non GRASE (III) | 3 | 360 | UVA1 |
| Ecamsule (terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid) | No GRASE ratingb | 3 | NA | UVA1, UVA2 |
| Ensulizole (phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid) | Non GRASE (III) | 4 | 310 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Meradimate (menthyl anthranilate) | Non GRASE (III) | 5 | 340 | UVA1, UVA2 |
| Octocrylene | Non GRASE (III) | 10 | 303 | UVB, UVA2 |
| PABA derivatives | ||||
| Padimate O (octyl dimethyl PABA) | Non GRASE (III) | 8 | 311 | UVB |
| Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) | Non GRASE (II) | 15 | 283 | UVB |
| Salicylates | ||||
| Homosalate (homomethyl salicylate) | Non GRASE (III) | 15 | 306 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Octisalate (octyl salicylate) | Non GRASE (III) | 5 | 307 | UVB, UVA2 |
| Trolamine salicylate (TEA salicylate) | Non GRASE (II) | 12 | 260–355 | UVB |
GRASE generally recognized as safe and effective, NA not applicable, PABA para-aminobenzoic acid, UV ultraviolet
a2019 FDA Proposed Rule has suggested three categories: I—GRASE; II—non GRASE; III—insufficient safety data to make a positive GRASE determination
bApproved through new drug application process