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Ergothioneine

What Ergothioneine is & what it does

A powerful amino-acid antioxidant that protects skin from oxidative and UV-related stress and helps preserve other antioxidants. It supports a resilient, healthy look.

What does Ergothioneine do in skincare?

Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring amino acid derivative that is commonly used as an antioxidant ingredient. In skincare it is generally included to help protect the formula and skin surface from oxidative stress. It is often found in products focused on environmental defense.

Is Ergothioneine safe?

Ergothioneine is used in cosmetics as an antioxidant and is generally considered safe at the levels used in skincare. It is a compound that naturally occurs in some foods such as mushrooms. Individual sensitivity is possible, as with any ingredient.

Is Ergothioneine natural or synthetic?

Ergothioneine occurs naturally, for example in certain fungi and mushrooms, and the cosmetic-grade ingredient is often made by fermentation or synthesis for consistency and purity. So it can be either naturally sourced or produced in a lab. Both yield the same compound.

Sunscreens with Ergothioneine

We rate 70 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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