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Nylon-12

What Nylon-12 is & what it does

A fine synthetic powder that absorbs oil and gives a smooth, soft-focus, mattified finish. It improves slip and blurs the look of pores.

What is Nylon-12 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Nylon-12 is a fine synthetic powder used to absorb oil and give a smooth, soft-focus, mattified finish. In a sunscreen or tinted product it improves slip and blurs the look of pores and fine lines. It is the kind of powder that helps a formula feel velvety rather than greasy.

Is Nylon-12 safe?

Yes. Nylon-12 is an inert powder that sits on the surface of the skin and is not absorbed, with a long record of safe use in cosmetics and color products. It is non-irritating for most people at the levels used in sunscreen. Its role is purely textural, soaking up oil and softening the finish.

Does Nylon-12 clog pores?

Generally no. Nylon-12 is an oil-absorbing powder rather than a heavy oil or wax, and it is typically treated as low on the comedogenicity scale. By mattifying and reducing surface shine it can actually make oily skin feel less congested. If you are breaking out, the richer emollients in a formula are more likely the cause.

Is Nylon-12 vegan?

Yes. Nylon-12 is a fully synthetic polymer made in a lab from petrochemical building blocks, with no animal-derived ingredients. That makes it suitable for vegan formulas. Synthetic here just means engineered for a smooth, mattifying finish.

What is Nylon-12 on an ingredient list (INCI)?

Nylon-12 is the INCI name printed on the label, and it refers to a polyamide powder, the same family as the nylon used in textiles but milled into very fine particles for skincare. The 12 is a chemical designation, not a percentage or a rating. You will usually see it among the texture and powder ingredients rather than near the actives.

Sunscreens with Nylon-12

We rate 305 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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