What are the best sunscreens with Mexoryl? I’m a zinc oxide fan girl. If a sunscreen doesn’t have it, I won’t even look at it twice.
But, I get it. Not all of you want to put up with its greasy feel and whitish cast. But, what’s the alternative?
Titanium dioxide’s just as bad (I mean good, I mean bad, I mean… you know what I mean).
Avobenzone isn’t reliable. Goes bad quickly and could irritate your skin to boot.
Tinosorb is hard to hunt down.
We’ve kinda run out of UVA filters already…
Wait, there’s another option. It’s still tricky to track down in the US (Us Europeans have it SO much easier), but it does the job well without leaving a white, greasy mess on your face.
Meet Mexoryl, a new UV filter developed by L’Oreal that sometimes sneaks its way into sunscreens in the US. Or, if you’re in Europe and you just want a safe alternative for sensitive skin, you may want to check it out too:
What Is Mexoryl?
Mexoryl (pronounced mex- er- rəl) is an UV filter. There are two types of Mexoryl.
Mexoryl SX: Developed by L’Oreal, this UVA filter is water soluble. You’ll find it on the label under the names Ecamsule or Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (what a mouthful!).
Mexoryl XL: Developed by L’Oreal, this UVA filter is lipid-soluble. It tends to have an oily texture that’s not oily-skin friendly, so it’s not used as much. Shame, because when it’s paired with its sibling, they both become more effective.
As they’re both developed by L’Oreal, they can only be found in brands owned by L’Oreal, like Lance and La Roche Posay (you can check out this post to see all the brands L’Oreal owns. Hint: they’re a lot).
Related: What Are The Best UV Filters?
Is your sunscreen up to the job? Download your FREE “Sunscreen Audit” checklist to find out if your sunscreen is both effective AND safe:
Mexoryl Benefits For Skin
Mexoryl is an UVA filter used in sunscreen. When UVA rays hit your skin, they generate free radicals. These free radicals start destroy collagen (the protein that keeps your skin firm), elastin (the protein that keeps your skin elastic), cellular DNA…
The result? Skin starts to sag. It begins to wrinkles. Overtime, dark spots make an appearance too. In the worst case scenario, you may develop skin cancer too.
Mexoryl prevents all this damage by absorbing UVA rays and transforming them into a less damaging form of energy (heat). Pretty much every UV filter does this. So, what makes it better than other UVA filters?
Basically, it offers the same UVA protection as zinc oxide (a thick mineral UV filter that provides broad spectrum protection – and a white cast), but it’s more pleasant to use. The catch? It needs to be used with other UVB filters.
Related: Why Zinc Oxide Is My Fave UV Filter
Why Is It So Difficult To Find Mexoryl In The US?
You know how you always like to complain the FDA doesn’t protect you enough? Well, it may be a bit slack on cosmetics, but it’s pretty strict on drugs. Sunscreen is a drug (you can check out my post about the difference between a cosmetic and a drug here).
Cosmetics are approved quickly. Drugs must undergo extensive testings to make sure they won’t kill you. It takes a looong time. Some UV filters have been waiting for approval for more than 12 years! This, even though they’ve been freely available in Europe all this time.
But, there’s a backdoor.
A company can petition the FDA to approve a new UV filter as part of a New Drug Application. It’s super expensive and it limits the types of formulas you can use it in so few companies bother with it.
L’Oreal did bother. In 2006, armed with data from Europe, Canada and other corners of the globe, it petitioned the FDA for approval of their patented UV filter “Ecamsule”. It won.
The catch? Well, as I mentioned, L’Oreal (and the many brands it owns) can use it only in very few products and they’re expensive (someone must pay that hefty FDA fee). So… Mexoryl hasn’t exactly taken hold in the US… On the contrary, every year it gets harder to find. 😉
Who Should Use Mexoryl?
If Mexoryl is so hard to find, should you even bother? There’s nothing wrong with any other UV filter. They all protect you from UV rays or they wouldn’t be in your sunscreen.
Said that, you may want to hunt down Mexoryl if:
- You have sensitive skin: The old generation of synthetic UV filter, like Avobenzone and Oxybenzone, can irritate skin. Mexoryl is said to be much gentler and suitable for sensitive skin too.
- You don’t like mineral UV filters: Zinc oxide and Titanium Dioxide provide excellent sun protection. But they’re often thick and leave a whiteish cast on the skin. If you don’t like the sound of that, Mexoryl is a great alternative.
What Are The Best Sunscreens With Mexoryl?
Looking for the best sunscreens with Mexoryl? This is tricky for several reasons:
- There aren’t many options available – especially in the US.
- Some of them still contain avobenzone and other UVA filters.
- Most of them are loaded with alcohol (this is bad only when the formula isn’t moisturising to counteract its drying effects).
Still, here are my fave picks for the best sunscreens with Mexoryl:
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Oil Control Fluid SPF50+ (£20.00): It provides excellent broad spectrum protection that dries to a matte finish and doesn’t leave a white cast on. Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin. Available at Boots, Look Fantastic, Sephora, and Superdrug
- Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Fluid Dry Touch SPF50+ (£18.95): A lightweight mattifying sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection even on the hottest summer days. It’s best suitable for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin. Available at Boots, Sephora, and Superdrug
The Bottom Line
It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? Here you have a wonderful UVA filter that works without side effects and it’s super hard to find! Let’s hope things change soon. I’m tired of putting up with poorly formulated sunscreens, aren’t you? In the meantime, these are the best sunscreens with Mexoryl. Enjoy!
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
