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Aminomethyl Propanol

What Aminomethyl Propanol is & what it does

A pH adjuster used to neutralize acidic gelling agents into smooth, clear gels. It helps build a stable, balanced texture.

What is Aminomethyl Propanol and what does it do in sunscreen?

Aminomethyl Propanol is a pH adjuster, sometimes shortened to AMP. Its job is to neutralize acidic gelling agents so they thicken into a smooth, clear gel, and to fine-tune the formula to a skin-friendly pH. It is a behind-the-scenes ingredient that shapes texture rather than something you feel directly.

Is Aminomethyl Propanol safe?

Yes. In a finished product it is used in tiny amounts and the formula is balanced to a skin-friendly pH, so it is well tolerated. Like most pH adjusters it is alkaline in its raw form, but at the trace levels left in a properly buffered sunscreen it is not a concern for most people.

Is Aminomethyl Propanol a preservative?

No. Aminomethyl Propanol is a pH adjuster, not a preservative. It is easy to confuse because it often appears near the bottom of an ingredient list alongside the preservatives, but it does nothing to stop microbes growing. Its only role is to neutralize acidic thickeners and set the right pH.

Does Aminomethyl Propanol clog pores?

Generally no. It is a water-soluble pH adjuster used in trace amounts, not an oil or wax, so it is not a pore-clogging ingredient. Any breakouts from a sunscreen are far more likely to trace back to the richer emollients in the formula.

What is Aminomethyl Propanol on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"Aminomethyl Propanol" is the INCI name on the label, and it is sometimes abbreviated to AMP. You will usually find it low on the list near the gelling agents it is there to neutralize. It is a functional helper ingredient rather than an active.

Sunscreens with Aminomethyl Propanol

We rate 257 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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