Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
Ingredient library · 2026-06-10

Every UV filter,
and who's approved it.

The world's sunscreens are built from more than 30 active UV filters — but no two regions agree on the list. We track every filter's current approval status in Japan (MHLW), Korea (MFDS), the EU (Annex VI), and the United States (FDA OTC monograph), with the maximum permitted concentration in each market.

Why this matters

6 modern filters approved across Japan, Korea, and the EU still sit pending at the US FDA — some submitted as far back as 2005. That's why a Korean or Japanese sunscreen often outperforms its US-reformulated counterpart on the same composite axes, despite identical branding.

34
Filters tracked
10
Approved JP/KR/US
6
Pending US FDA
2
Restricted/banned
34 of 34 shown
Whether each regulator (JP MHLW, KR MFDS, EU SCCS, US FDA) allows this filter in sunscreens, and the maximum concentration permitted by law. A ✓ means approved; — means not allowed or not yet evaluated.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc Oxide
aka 酸化亜鉛 · 산화아연
Also sold as Z-Cote (BASF)
Mineral Physical filters — reflect & scatter UV.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ — Japan: Approved KR ✓ 25% South Korea: Approved · max 25% EU ✓ 25% Europe: Approved · max 25% US ✓ 25% United States: Approved · max 25%
538
products
Trolamine Salicylate
Trolamine Salicylate
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU — — Europe: No data US — — United States: No data
0
products
Tinosorb A2B
Tris-Biphenyl Triazine
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
1
products
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide
aka 酸化チタン · 이산화티탄
Also sold as T-Lite (BASF)
Mineral Physical filters — reflect & scatter UV.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ — Japan: Approved KR ✓ 25% South Korea: Approved · max 25% EU ✓ 25% Europe: Approved · max 25% US ✓ 25% United States: Approved · max 25%
717
products
Ecamsule (Mexoryl SX)
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
aka テレフタリリデンジカンフルスルホン酸 · 테레프탈릴리덴디캠퍼설포닉애씨드
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — 3% United States: No data · max 3%
116
products
Parsol SLX
Polysilicone-15
aka ポリシリコーン-15 · 폴리실리콘-15
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US · — United States: Pending
242
products
Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor
Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 6% Europe: Approved · max 6% US — — United States: No data
0
products
TriAsorB
Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US — — United States: No data
0
products
PBSA
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
aka フェニルベンズイミダゾールスルホン酸 · 페닐벤즈이미다졸설포닉애시드
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 3% Japan: Approved · max 3% KR ✓ 4% South Korea: Approved · max 4% EU ✓ 8% Europe: Approved · max 8% US ✓ 4% United States: Approved · max 4%
60
products
PEG-25 PABA
PEG-25 PABA
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
0
products
Octocrylene
Octocrylene
aka オクトクリレン · 옥토크릴렌
Also sold as Parsol 340 (DSM)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US ✓ 10% United States: Approved · max 10%
260
products
Bisoctrizole (Tinosorb M)
Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol
aka メチレンビス-ベンゾトリアゾリルテトラメチルブチルフェノール · 메칠렌비스-벤조트리아졸릴테트라메칠부틸페놀
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US · — United States: Pending
137
products
Mexoryl 400 (MCE)
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate
aka メトキシプロピルアミノシクロヘキセニリデンエトキシエチルシアノアセテート
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 3% Europe: Approved · max 3% US — — United States: No data
6
products
Meradimate
Menthyl Anthranilate
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU — — Europe: No data US ✓ 5% United States: Approved · max 5%
0
products
Amiloxate
Isoamyl p-Methoxycinnamate
aka p-メトキシケイ皮酸イソアミル · 이소아밀p-메톡시신나메이트
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
39
products
Homosalate
Homosalate
aka ホモサレート · 호모살레이트
Also sold as Eusolex HMS (Merck) · Neo Heliopan HMS (Symrise)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ! 7.34% Europe: Restricted · max 7.34% US ✓ 15% United States: Approved · max 15%
200
products
Uvinul T 150
Ethylhexyl Triazone
aka エチルヘキシルトリアゾン · 에칠헥실트리아존
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 5% Japan: Approved · max 5% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US · — United States: Pending
514
products
Octisalate
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
aka サリチル酸エチルヘキシル · 에칠헥실살리실레이트
Also sold as Eusolex OS (Merck) · Neo Heliopan OS (Symrise)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US ✓ 5% United States: Approved · max 5%
349
products
Octinoxate
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
aka メトキシケイヒ酸エチルヘキシル · 에칠헥실메톡시신나메이트
Also sold as Parsol MCX (DSM) · Eusolex 2292 (Merck)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 20% Japan: Approved · max 20% KR ✓ 7.5% South Korea: Approved · max 7.5% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US ✓ 7.5% United States: Approved · max 7.5%
482
products
Padimate O
Ethylhexyl Dimethyl PABA
aka パラジメチルアミノ安息香酸エチルヘキシル · 에칠헥실디메칠파바
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 8% South Korea: Approved · max 8% EU ✓ 8% Europe: Approved · max 8% US ✓ 8% United States: Approved · max 8%
1
products
Mexoryl XL
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
aka ドロメトリゾールトリシロキサン · 드로메트리졸트라이실록세인
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 15% Japan: Approved · max 15% KR ✓ 15% South Korea: Approved · max 15% EU ✓ 15% Europe: Approved · max 15% US · — United States: Pending
98
products
Bisdisulizole Disodium (Neo Heliopan AP)
Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
0
products
Uvasorb HEB
Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone
aka ジエチルヘキシルブタミドトリアゾン · 다이에칠헥실부타미도트라이아존
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US · — United States: Pending
66
products
Uvinul A Plus
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
aka ジエチルアミノヒドロキシベンゾイル安息香酸ヘキシル · 디에칠아미노하이드록시벤조일헥실벤조에이트
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US · — United States: Pending
729
products
Cinoxate
Cinoxate
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU — — Europe: No data US ✓ 3% United States: Approved · max 3%
0
products
Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate
Camphor Benzalkonium Methosulfate
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 6% Europe: Approved · max 6% US — — United States: No data
0
products
Avobenzone
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
aka ブチルメトキシジベンゾイルメタン · 부틸메톡시디벤조일메탄
Also sold as Parsol 1789 (DSM)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US ✓ 3% United States: Approved · max 3%
231
products
Bemotrizinol
Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
aka ビスエチルヘキシルオキシフェノールメトキシフェニルトリアジン · 비스에틸헥실옥시페놀메톡시페닐트리아진
Also sold as Tinosorb S (BASF)
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP ✓ 3% Japan: Approved · max 3% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US ✓ 6% United States: Approved · max 6%
664
products
HAA299
Bis-(Diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl Benzoyl) Piperazine
Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
0
products
Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid
Benzylidene Camphor Sulfonic Acid
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 6% Europe: Approved · max 6% US — — United States: No data
0
products
Dioxybenzone
Benzophenone-8
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU — — Europe: No data US ✓ 3% United States: Approved · max 3%
0
products
Sulisobenzone
Benzophenone-4
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US ✓ 10% United States: Approved · max 10%
0
products
Oxybenzone
Benzophenone-3
aka オキシベンゾン · 벤조페논-3
Also sold as Eusolex 4360 (Merck)
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 5% Japan: Approved · max 5% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ! 6% Europe: Restricted · max 6% US ✓ 6% United States: Approved · max 6%
6
products
PABA
Aminobenzoic Acid
Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters.
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
JP ✓ 4% Japan: Approved · max 4% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU — — Europe: No data US — — United States: No data
0
products
Status legend
✓ Approved · Pending ! Restricted ✕ Banned Sources: FDA 21 CFR 352 · EU Reg. (EC) 1223/2009 Annex VI · MHLW positive list (JP) · MFDS Article 19 (KR)
Regulatory data · approval status and maximum concentrations are tracked from each jurisdiction's primary source and refreshed regularly. Some markets have stricter limits on rinse-off vs. leave-on products and on spray vs. cream forms — see each filter's detail page for the full breakdown. EU data may be incomplete for some filters; we fall back to "no data" where the EU column is unpopulated.