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Riboflavin

What Riboflavin is & what it does

Vitamin B2, used as a conditioning vitamin and natural yellow colorant. It supports skin conditioning and adds a subtle tint.

Is Riboflavin safe?

Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, is widely used in foods and cosmetics and is generally considered safe at the levels used in skincare. It is a water-soluble vitamin with a long history of use. As with any ingredient, those with very reactive skin can patch test a new product first.

What does Riboflavin do in skincare?

In skincare, Riboflavin is used as a skin-conditioning ingredient and is sometimes included for its antioxidant-leaning reputation. It is a naturally yellow vitamin, so it can also contribute a subtle color to a formula. Its overall effect depends on the concentration and the rest of the product.

Is Riboflavin natural or synthetic?

Riboflavin can be sourced both ways: it occurs naturally in many foods, and the cosmetic-grade material is often produced through controlled fermentation or synthesis for purity and consistency. Either way, the molecule is identical to the vitamin found in nature. The label rarely specifies the production method.

Sunscreens with Riboflavin

We rate 19 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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