Ingredient glossary

Tinosorb M

What Tinosorb M does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.

INCI: Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol · Also: MBBT

Sun protection

In short: Tinosorb M delivers uvb protection and uva protection, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong.

What it does
Uvb protection, uva protection
Best for
Most skin types
Evidence
Strong
Does it clash with what you use? Check it →

The molecule

Tap to enlarge
Chemical structure of Tinosorb M (Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol)

The Glow take

Only as good as the sunscreen it lives in.

As a single filter, Tinosorb M only matters as part of a finished sunscreen you actually reapply. The best SPF is the one that feels good enough to wear every morning.

— Maya

What it does

  • uvb protection
  • uva protection
  • blue light protection

strong evidenceRegulatory dossiers and photobiology studies show Tinosorb M offers broad spectrum protection with excellent photostability and safety and significantly boosts SPF and UVA PF in combination filters.

Who it's for, and who should skip it

Tends to suit

  • all

Approach with care

No specific group flagged to avoid it.

  • Clogs poresLow
  • Irritation riskLow

How it fits each skin type

  • DrySuits
  • CombinationSuits
  • OilySuits
  • SensitiveSuits

Where it fits in your routine

WhenMorning
Where in the orderThe last step, over everything else

Plays well with

  • uv filters
  • antioxidants

Tinosorb M, answered

Is Tinosorb M safe during pregnancy?

Yes. Tinosorb M is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.

Who should avoid Tinosorb M?

No specific group is flagged to avoid Tinosorb M. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.

What concentration of Tinosorb M actually works?

Its concentration is rarely printed on the label, so use the ingredient list as your clue: near the top third it is likely doing real work, near the bottom it is more of a sprinkle.

This, for every label you own

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Sources & how we reviewed this

Last reviewed July 2026. Educational information about a cosmetic ingredient, not medical advice.