Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (Ensulizole) is a chemical sunscreen filter that absorbs UVB rays.
Ensulizole’s texture is light, providing a non-oily transparent finish.
Ensulizole spectrum range and stability
Ensulizole can absorb UVB rays and a part of UVAII rays, but that’s not enough and it needs to be combined together with other filters that provide a good UVA rays protection.
It is photostable and it can stabilize other filters.
Ensulizole allergies and absorption
It’s absorption data is limited, but it has not been linked as a endocrine disruptor.
Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid is not likely to induce an allergie and just a few allergic dermatitis cases have been reported.
Ensulizole and free radical damage
Research shows that phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid cause DNA photodamage when it’s exposed to UVB rays or sunlight.
It is able to generate reactive oxygen species (a type of free radical).
It has strong oxidizing properties when it is exposed to UV radiation in both alkaline and neutral products, so it can damage DNA.
The botton line
Ensulizole has not demostrasted to be a good sunscreen filter.
Even though it offers a UVB rays protection, It does not compensate the high amount of free radicals that it produces.
Furthermore, It has been linked to have very low cancer causing probabilities.
