Uvinul A Plus and Uvinul T 150: The Quiet Overachievers
Two German-engineered filters doing heavy lifting in global sunscreens.
Uvinul A Plus (diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, DHHB) is permitted in the EU at up to 10% and absorbs strongly in the UVA range, with a peak near 354 nm.
Formulators favor Uvinul T 150 (ethylhexyl triazone) because it is one of the most efficient and photostable UVB absorbers available, working at low concentrations.
Questions we get a lot
What is Uvinul A Plus (DHHB)?
Uvinul A Plus is BASF's trade name for diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), an oil-soluble, highly photostable UVA filter widely used in EU, Japanese and Korean sunscreens. It gives strong, stable UVA1 coverage, which is why it often replaces or supports avobenzone in modern global formulas.
Why aren't Uvinul filters in US sunscreens?
The US regulates sunscreens as OTC drugs, and the FDA has not approved Uvinul A Plus or Uvinul T 150 for use in sunscreens sold here. They are common in Europe and Asia but cannot be legally marketed in a US sunscreen until the FDA clears them, which is why American formulas miss these filters.
Are next-gen UV filters better than older ones?
Newer filters such as DHHB, ethylhexyl triazone, bemotrizinol and bisoctrizole generally give broader, more even coverage and far better photostability than older ones like avobenzone, which degrades in sunlight. They also tend to feel more elegant — though applying enough and reapplying still matter most.
r/AsianBeauty: 'What's the difference between Uvinul A Plus and avobenzone for UVA?'