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Taurine

What Taurine is & what it does

Taurine is a small amino sulfonic acid that occurs naturally in the body and in many foods. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it is used as a skin conditioning and humectant-type ingredient that may support the skin barrier and hydration. One notable property is its role as an osmolyte, a molecule that helps cells maintain water balance under environmental stress.

What does Taurine do in skincare?

Taurine is an amino acid used as a skin conditioning and hydrating ingredient. In sunscreens and creams it may help support the skin barrier and water balance, and it is sometimes added for its antioxidant-associated properties. It functions as an osmolyte, helping skin cells cope with environmental stress.

Is Taurine safe?

Taurine occurs naturally in the body and in many foods, and it is considered safe for use in cosmetics at typical levels. It is a small, well-tolerated molecule that is rarely associated with irritation. As always, patch testing a new product is wise for very sensitive skin.

Is Taurine vegan?

Taurine used in cosmetics is almost always produced synthetically, so it generally contains no animal-derived material and is suitable for vegan formulas. Historically the compound was first identified in animal tissue, but modern cosmetic taurine is lab-made. Look for a vegan label if this matters to you.

Sunscreens with Taurine

We rate 28 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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