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Ingredient · INCI reference

Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate

a.k.a. Mexoryl 400 (MCE)

CAS 1419401-88-9

Mexoryl 400 (MCE) is a newer-generation organic UVA1 filter that is photostable. It is approved in the EU up to 3% and is not approved in Japan, Korea, or the US, so it currently appears in only a handful of EU-formulated sunscreens. Safety data is favorable, with an EWG score of 1 and no endocrine or reef flags.

Modern organic Next-gen photostable chemical filters. Gen · new organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVA1
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
02 Regional approval · max %
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 3% Europe: Approved · max 3% US — — United States: No data
03 Safety profile
EWG score
1
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

What does Mexoryl 400 add to a sunscreen?

It absorbs in long-wave UVA1, the range linked to deeper skin penetration. Adding it to a formula extends UVA coverage further into the long-wave region than many older filters reach.

Where is Mexoryl 400 approved?

In this data it is approved only in the EU, up to 3%. It is not approved in Japan, Korea, or the US, so global availability is currently limited.

Is it considered safe?

Available data shows EWG 1 and no endocrine or reef-toxicity flags, placing it among the cleaner-profile UV filters in current use.

Why is it in so few products?

It is a newer, EU-only filter, so the pool of finished sunscreens using it is small. Wider use would require approval in additional markets such as the US, Japan, and Korea.

Products in catalogue

Containing Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate