What it is
Methoxypropylamino Cyclohexenylidene Ethoxyethylcyanoacetate is a synthetic organic sunscreen agent developed to absorb long-wave UVA1 radiation, a band reaching deeper into the skin that many older filters cover less effectively. It is photostable, allowing it to maintain its absorbing capacity during sun exposure, and it is used in combination with other filters to broaden the protection profile. It is approved in the EU and is best known from L'Oreal-group products under the Mexoryl 400 name.
Spectrum coverage
UVA1
Regional approval · max %
Safety & warnings
Reference safety assessments rate it favorably for tolerability, and it is reported as non-comedogenic. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen. Regulatory approval status differs by region, so its availability depends on the market.
Origin & sourcing
Synthetic organic UV filter developed for use in sunscreen formulations.
History
It is a relatively recent UV filter, introduced to the European market in the 2020s to extend coverage further into the long-wave UVA1 region; it is approved in the EU and is not approved as a sunscreen active in the US, Japan, or Korea.
Questions everyone asks
What kind of UV does Mexoryl 400 absorb?
It targets long-wave UVA1, a deeper-penetrating part of the UVA range that older filters cover less completely.
Is this filter available everywhere?
No. It is approved in the EU but is not an approved sunscreen active in the US, Japan, or Korea, so availability is region-dependent.