What it is
Caramel is produced by heating sugars to create a brown to amber liquid or solid used to adjust the color of a product. In sunscreens and tone-up products it can subtly tint the formula or counter unwanted color casts. It is used in small amounts purely for appearance and does not affect performance.
Safety & warnings
Long used as a colorant in foods and cosmetics and generally well tolerated on skin at the low levels employed. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Made by the controlled thermal treatment (caramelization) of carbohydrates such as sugars.
Questions everyone asks
Why is caramel in a sunscreen?
It is used in very small amounts as a brown colorant to tint the product or adjust its shade, not for any skincare benefit.
Is it the same caramel as in food?
It is the same general class of colorant made by heating carbohydrates; the cosmetic grade serves only to adjust color.