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Lecithin

What Lecithin is & what it does

A phospholipid emulsifier, usually from soy or sunflower, that blends oil and water while conditioning skin and supporting the barrier. It also helps deliver other ingredients.

What is Lecithin and what does it do in sunscreen?

Lecithin is a phospholipid emulsifier, usually sourced from soy or sunflower, that blends the oil and water phases of a formula into one stable cream. Beyond emulsifying, it conditions the skin and helps support the barrier, and it is also used to carry and deliver other ingredients. It is a naturally occurring building block of cell membranes, which is part of why skin tolerates it well.

Is Lecithin safe?

Yes. Lecithin is a naturally derived, well-tolerated ingredient used widely in both cosmetics and food, where it appears as the additive E322. It works mainly on the surface as an emulsifier and conditioning agent and is considered gentle for most skin types.

Does Lecithin clog pores?

Generally no. It is used in small amounts as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent rather than as a heavy oil, so it is not a notable pore-clogging flag in a well-formulated sunscreen. As with any conditioning ingredient, very acne-prone skin can occasionally react, but Lecithin is not one of the classic comedogenic culprits.

Does Lecithin feed fungal acne (malassezia)?

It can, so people who specifically manage fungal acne may prefer to avoid it. Lecithin carries fatty (plant-oil-derived) chains that the Malassezia yeast behind fungal acne is able to use, which is why it appears on fungal-acne avoid lists. This is one specific concern for fungal-acne-prone skin only, not a general safety problem: for everyone else, Lecithin is harmless and even helps condition skin.

Is Lecithin vegan and natural?

Usually yes. The lecithin in modern sunscreens is typically derived from soy or sunflower, making it plant-based and a naturally occurring ingredient. Lecithin can in principle come from egg yolk, so a strictly vegan formula would rely on the plant-sourced version, which is by far the most common in skincare.

Sunscreens with Lecithin

We rate 1040 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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