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Polysilicone-15

What Polysilicone-15 is & what it does

A silicone-based UVB filter (Parsol SLX) that absorbs UVB while giving a smooth, silicone-like feel. It boosts SPF and helps stabilize other filters.

What is Polysilicone-15 and what does it do in sunscreen?

Polysilicone-15 is a silicone-based UVB sunscreen filter, sold under the trade name Parsol SLX. It absorbs UVB light while giving the formula a smooth, silicone-like feel and helping it spread evenly. It also boosts SPF and helps stabilize other UV filters in the blend.

Is Polysilicone-15 a UV filter?

Yes. It is an approved organic UV filter that works mainly in the UVB range, the part of the spectrum that causes sunburn. Because it is a silicone polymer, it doubles as a texture agent, lending a soft, silky glide on top of its filtering job. Sunscreens pair it with UVA filters to reach full broad-spectrum protection.

Is Polysilicone-15 safe?

Polysilicone-15 is regarded as a well-tolerated, low-irritation filter. It is a large silicone polymer, which means it shows very low skin penetration and tends to stay on the surface where it does its work. It is approved for sunscreens in the EU, UK and many other markets and is widely used across many products.

Does Polysilicone-15 clog pores?

Generally no. It is not flagged as comedogenic and behaves like other cosmetic silicones, forming a light, breathable film rather than a heavy occlusive layer. If a sunscreen breaks you out, the richer oils and waxes elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Polysilicone-15 natural?

No, Polysilicone-15 (Parsol SLX) is a modern synthetic silicone filter, made in a lab and not found in nature. Synthetic here just means it was engineered for stable UVB protection with a pleasant feel, not that it is unsafe.

What else is Polysilicone-15 called?

On the label it appears under its INCI name, Polysilicone-15. You may also see it referred to by its trade name, Parsol SLX. It usually sits in the part of the ingredient list with the other UV filters and silicones.

Sunscreens with Polysilicone-15

We rate 288 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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