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What is "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" and what is its use?

What is "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" and what is its use?

With the arrival of summer, swimming and sunbathing are on the horizon. This beautiful season is ideal for tanning and displaying a sun-kissed complexion. However, to avoid sunburn, it is recommended to protect oneself with the appropriate skincare. To do this, sun lotions and creams are available. These skincare products contain sun filters that protect the skin from the attacks of ultraviolet rays, such as "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate".

Summary
Published November 17, 2021, updated on February 3, 2024, by Stéphanie, PhD, Doctorate in Life and Health Sciences — 3 min read

What is "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate"?

Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate, also known as Neo Heliopan AP or Bisdisulizole Disodium, is a chemical sunscreen filter. It is used in the composition of sun care products. According to the rules applied in Europe, the maximum permitted concentration of this active ingredient in a product is 10%. This molecule protects the skin against UVA II rays and has an absorbance peak of 335 nm.

Unlike other sun filters, Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate is not an oil, but a water-soluble organic ingredient. As such, it allows for the creation of less greasy sunscreens. This active ingredient also stands out due to its low level of skin penetration, which is quite reassuring compared to other filters.

What is the purpose of "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate"?

The Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate is safe and exhibits the following properties:

  • It absorbs UV rays so that sunlight does not harm either the skincare product or its active ingredients;

  • It filters UV rays to protect the skin and hair from the effects of the sun's rays;

  • It acts as a stabilising agent, meaning it is incorporated into the composition of a skincare product to enhance the ingredients and/or promote the stability of the formula;

  • It promotes the shelf life of the skincare product.

"Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" is primarily used in adult sun care products. You can find this ingredient in the following treatments:

  • Adult sun lotions and creams;

  • Thermal protection sprays for hair;

  • Corrective gels and dark circle erasers.

"Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" in a Typology skincare product

At Typology, we use "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" in our SPF30 face sunscreen. For each of our skincare products, the complete list of ingredients is provided on the product's page.

The primary active ingredients of the SPF30 face sunscreen are:

  • The aloe vera;

  • Hyaluronic Acid;

  • The karanja oil.

The ingredient "Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate" is also included in the formulation, albeit in a small quantity. This agent ensures the stability of the formula and absorbs sunlight so that it does not affect the properties of the active ingredients in the sunscreen.

Thanks to its core active ingredients, notably aloe vera and hyaluronic acid, the SPF30 face sun cream deeply hydrates the skin. As for karanja oil, it exhibits properties that combat oxidation due to its rich flavonoid composition. It aids in protecting the skin against sun rays and prevents its premature ageing. This sun cream is composed of 83.9% natural origin ingredients.

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