What is the Function of Bisoctrizole in The Ordinary Mineral Sunscreen?

What is Bisoctrizole?

Bisoctrizole, also referred to by its INCI name Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol and trade name Tinosorb M, is a wide-spectrum UV filter used in sunscreens. And it also known as Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M), is an extremely effective, micronized, photostable UVA absorber. It belongs to the new generation of UV filters that uses organic and inorganic protective modes.

How Bisoctrizole Protects the Skin

This product has excellent photostability, and it’s a multi-effect filter of UVA. It’s an excellent absorber of UVA, and the micro organic particle of average particle size less than 200nm can reflect and scatter the UV light, and it can also absorb blue light. This triple mode mechanism—absorption, reflection, and scattering—enables Bisoctrizole to provide effective protection against both UVA and UVB radiation as well as blue light exposure.

Benefits of Using Bisoctrizole in Sunscreens

The advantages of employing Bisoctrizole in sunscreens are two-fold. It possesses broadband UV protection. Also, when combined with oil-soluble UV filters, it can enhance the SPF of sunscreen products. Its whitish color also provides formulation benefits: as a whitish UVA absorber, it possesses color correction of formulas. All of these qualities make it especially valuable for formulators looking for high-performance, photostable protection with an attractive appearance.

Overview of The Ordinary Mineral Sunscreen

Key Ingredients in The Ordinary Mineral Sunscreen

The Ordinary’s Mineral Sunscreen range employs primarily mineral-based UV filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are physical blockers, which sit on the skin’s surface. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical blockers that sit on the skin surface and reflect UV radiation away from the body.

Product Variants and Formulations

The Ordinary has two main variants: Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants and Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants. Both of them contain no chemical sunscreens and are formulated instead using non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to offer broad-spectrum protection.

Texture, Finish, and Application Experience

Users generally describe the ordinary mineral sunscreens as having a thick texture with an obvious white cast upon application. While this might deter some users who prefer an invisible finish, the physical sunscreen in these items is appreciated by others. The addition of antioxidants is designed to support healthy skin by combating oxidative stress.

Does The Ordinary Mineral Sunscreen Contain Bisoctrizole?

Ingredient List Analysis

The careful review of the ordinary mineral sunscreen ingredients list does not reveal the presence of Bisoctrizole (Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol) in either SPF 15 or SPF 30 products. Their protection against the sun is derived, alternatively, only from traditional mineral UV filters like zinc oxide.

Comparison with Other UV Filters Used

Relative to innovative filters like BFP-SP M (Bisoctrizole), The Ordinary resorts to more conservative mineral actives. Mineral sunscreens, including zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are a tried and tested, effective, and eco-friendly option. They lack a synergistic boosting effect as found in combinations involving filters like Tinosorb M or BFP-SPS, which is a performance booster and has better photostability.

Reasons for Including or Excluding Bisoctrizole

There could be several reasons why Bisoflorizole is left out of The Ordinary products. First and foremost, there are regional regulatory limitations; i.e., max concentration:10% (EU, CN, AUS, JP, KR),5%(CA). Second, the use of micronized particles, like in BFP-SP M, requires special dispersion techniques due to their aqueous phase solubility. Third, cost-effectiveness may push companies to opt for more available alternatives like zinc oxide.

Comparing BFP Products with and without Bisoctrizole

Variances in Performance of Sun Protection

Comparison of sunscreens using BFP-SP M (with Bisoctrizole) to those using mineral filters alone, such as BFP-Z40S, is revealing performance variances. It is especially suitable for the personal care industry, which contains broadband UV-protection with water-based, giving superior UVA/UVB/blue light spectra protection. In comparison, BFP-Z40Shas UVA and UVB all band effective protection, but lacks blue light absorption properties.

Skin Compatibility and Sensory Experience

Both are designed to be mild to the skin; however,  it is not irritating and have no stimulation. They are translucent in character and are non-whitening, which is especially ideal for BFP-Z40SM due to being nano-coated. Conversely, the micro organic particle with a sub-200nm average particle size in BFP-SP M may offer better spreadability when properly emulsified.

Regulatory and Formulation Considerations

Despite BFP-SP M having many functional benefits, the Material needs to be retested after 24 months of manufacture, indicating time stability problems. Meanwhile,  it has to be stored in a dry, cool, dark environment. Shelf life 3 years. Stores well for most of BFP’s mineral products, like BFP-Z40ST, thus being well-suited for long-term inventory planning.

Alternatives to Bisoctrizole in Mineral Sunscreens

Commonly Used Mineral UV Filters

Some popular alternatives are zinc oxide-based ones, like:

• BFP-Z40S: a mineral UV filter consisting of Zinc oxide and silica, suitable for use in water-based systems.
• BFP-Z40SM: a nano mineral UV filter consisting of Zinc oxide, Silica, and Methicone, ideal for oil-based systems.
• BFP-Z40ST: consisting of Zinc Oxide, Silica, and Triethoxycaprylylsilane, with silica and triethoxycaprylylsilane, with enhanced water repellency.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Alternative

Zinc oxide has immediate protection when applied. Whereas chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation, mineral sunscreens begin working from the moment of application. Nevertheless, they tend to leave visible residues or white cast unless micronized or coated as in BFP-Z40SM or Z40ST. Although safer for users of sensitive skin, Mineral Sunscreen is Better for Skin and the Environment. However, they are not quite equal to filters such as Tinosorb M, where broad-spectrum protection, including blue light, is concerned.

FAQ

Q: How safe is Bisoctrizole for daily use?

A: It is especially suitable for the personal care industry, used as a functional raw material to absorb the UV light for sunscreen products, thus making it safety compliant in prime markets like the EU & Asia-Pacific regions.

Q: Do some sunscreens contain both mineral filters & Bisoctrizole?

A: Yes. Formulators tend to combine broad-spectrum minerals like zinc oxide (e.g., BFP-Z40ST) with high-tech organics like BFP-SP M to achieve optimal outcomes.

Q: Why isn’t every brand using Bisoctrizole?

A: Regulatory regulations (<5% highest strength available in Canada), or economic impacts & formulation complexity bar its use even though proven benefits.