Sunscreen, decoded · Australia
What are you slopping on?
Sunscreens sold in Australia, and the active ingredients in every one. Look up your bottle, or find one with the filters you want.
The actives, in
plain gibberish.
Labels use chemical names. Here's what they are, and the sunscreens that use each one.
Zinc oxide
MineralCovers UVB and the full UVA range. The white stuff in zinc sticks.
Sunscreens with zinc oxide →Titanium dioxide
MineralStrong on UVB and shorter UVA. Often paired with zinc oxide.
Sunscreens with titanium dioxide →Bemotrizinol
ChemicalBroad spectrum and stable in sunlight. On labels as bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine.
Sunscreens with bemotrizinol →Avobenzone
ChemicalA key UVA filter. On labels as butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane.
Sunscreens with avobenzone →Octocrylene
ChemicalAbsorbs UVB. Often added to help keep avobenzone stable.
Sunscreens with octocrylene →Can't find your sunscreen? Ask Gus.
He's read the back of every bottle on the list. (He's also stolen your chips.)