Synthetic
What Synthetic is & what it does
"Synthetic" is not a specific ingredient but a general label describing a substance made by chemical synthesis rather than sourced directly from nature. On an ingredient list it usually appears as part of a compound name (for example a synthetic wax or synthetic fluorphlogopite) rather than on its own. As a standalone term it has no single defined function, origin, or safety profile. It is not a UV filter, and no concerns are flagged for it here.
What is Synthetic on an ingredient list?
"Synthetic" is a general descriptor meaning a substance made by chemical synthesis rather than taken directly from nature. It is usually part of a fuller ingredient name rather than an ingredient on its own.
Does Synthetic mean an ingredient is unsafe?
No. Synthetic simply describes how something is produced, not whether it is safe. Safety depends on the specific ingredient, and synthetic materials are not inherently riskier than natural ones.
Sunscreens with Synthetic
We rate 4 sunscreens that contain it:
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Pilgrim Squalane Ultra Matte Sunscreen SPF 50 Pa+++
79/100
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Anessa Sunscreen Spray
76/100
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Shiseido Anessa Perfect UV Sunscreen Skincare Milk N SPF 50+ Pa++++
71/100
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Mamaearth Body Lotion With Vitamin C And SPF 30
67/100