By ingredient · Sub-chapter
How sunscreen filters work.
Mineral, chemical, hybrid. The modern Asian and EU filters the US has not approved yet. What is actually in the sunscreen you are using — and why it matters more than the SPF number.
120 how-to's · Updated 29 April 2026 · Avg. 4 min per piece · Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director
Editor's note
The SPF number tells you how much UVB protection a sunscreen provides. It tells you nothing about the filter behind it, the formulation, or whether it covers UVA well enough to matter. The US is behind on filter approval. The EU and Asian markets have access to next-generation filters that offer better photostability and broader UVA coverage.
Other ingredients
What SPF filters actually are
UV filters are the active ingredients in sunscreen that absorb or reflect UV radiation. Mineral filters sit on the skin surface and scatter UV. Chemical filters absorb UV and convert it to heat. Both work. Effectiveness depends on the specific filter, its concentration, and whether it degrades in sunlight.
Myth, meet fact
- Myth: Mineral sunscreen is always safer than chemical. Fact: Both categories have well-studied safety profiles. White cast and skin feel are legitimate reasons to prefer one.
- Myth: A higher SPF means you can apply less. Fact: Amount matters more than number. Most people apply too little regardless of the SPF rating.
- Myth: You do not need SPF if you are indoors. Fact: UVA penetrates glass.
The beginner's path
- Mineral vs chemical sunscreen — what actually differs (4 min)
- The EU and Asian filters — why they matter (5 min)
- UVA vs UVB — why both need covering (3 min)
- How much sunscreen is enough (3 min)
- Hybrid filters — the best of both (4 min)
Format and cadence
Hybrid filter SPF 50+ is the default recommendation. Chemical filter SPF for daily urban use with no white cast. Mineral zinc SPF for sensitive skin and outdoor use. EU and Asian filters offer better UVA coverage when accessible.
Everything we've published on spf filters
- Why European sunscreens feel so different
- Zinc oxide vs chemical filters
- How much sunscreen you actually need to apply
- PA+++ and PPD — reading UVA ratings
- Tinosorb — the filter the US does not have