UV Filters
UV filters are ingredients added to sunscreens, moisturisers and makeup to help protect skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. They work by either absorbing or reflecting UVA and UVB radiation, preventing it from reaching and damaging skin cells. In the UK they are a legal requirement in any product claiming sun protection.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, UV filters are carefully blended into formulas to deliver a chosen SPF and broad-spectrum protection. Mineral filters such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide sit on the skin’s surface and scatter UV light, while organic (chemical) filters including octocrylene, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine absorb UV radiation and convert it into harmless heat. UK regulations require rigorous safety and stability testing, and approved filters must be clearly listed on the ingredient label so shoppers can make informed choices.
Key benefits
- Helps prevent premature skin ageing
- Reduces visible pigmentation and dark spots
- Supports daily skin defence against environmental damage
- Helps maintain skin firmness and elasticity
- Protects against sunburn when used at the correct SPF
- Allows safer prolonged time outdoors
Best for
all skin types, sensitive skin, fair skin, skin prone to pigmentation, mature skin
Where it comes from
UV filters can be mineral-based, sourced from naturally occurring ores such as titanium and zinc, or organic molecules synthesised from plant-derived raw materials including coconut oil, palm oil or petroleum fractions that are then refined for cosmetic use.
Products with UV Filters
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain UV Filters than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.