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UV FILTER 03
Ethylhexyl Triazone
The filter doing most of the quiet work behind a high SPF number.
Published 21 September 2026 · HourGlow
At a glance
| INCI name | Ethylhexyl triazone |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Uvinul T 150 (BASF), Parsol EHT (DSM-Firmenich), EHT |
| Protects against | UVB |
| Absorption maximum | 314 nm |
| Molecular formula | C48H66N6O6 |
| Molar mass | 823.07 g/mol |
A specialist, not an all-rounder
Where bemotrizinol spans both UV bands, ethylhexyl triazone does one thing: it absorbs UVB, with its maximum at 314 nm. UVB runs from roughly 280 to 320 nm, so that peak sits near the centre of the range it is built for.
UVB is what burns you, and it is what the SPF number measures. Getting to SPF 50+ means absorbing the overwhelming majority of it, and that takes a filter that absorbs strongly rather than merely adequately.
Why efficiency decides texture
Note the molar mass — 823 g/mol. This is a large molecule, and that has two consequences. Large filters are less able to penetrate skin, which is generally desirable in something meant to stay on the surface. And efficient absorbers mean the formula needs less material to reach a given SPF.
That second point is the whole ballgame for how a sunscreen feels. A formula reaching SPF 50+ with efficient filters can be built as a light fluid. One reaching the same number with weaker absorbers needs considerably more filter, and that weight has to go somewhere — usually into the greasy, heavy texture that puts people off sunscreen entirely.
The best sunscreen is the one you actually wear. Filter efficiency is not a technical footnote — it is what decides whether a daily sunscreen is pleasant enough to use daily.
How the three work together
A well-built filter system is not one hero ingredient. Ethylhexyl triazone handles UVB. DHHB covers UVA. Bemotrizinol spans both and improves the stability of the system as a whole — it shows synergistic SPF effects specifically when combined with ethylhexyl triazone.
The result is coverage across the range with no single point of failure, at a total filter load light enough to wear under makeup in humidity.
How to spot it on a label
Look for ethylhexyl triazone in the ingredient list. Marketing may reference Uvinul T 150 or Parsol EHT; the INCI name is what appears on the pack.
Common questions
What does ethylhexyl triazone do?
It absorbs UVB radiation — the wavelengths behind sunburn and the ones SPF measures — with an absorption maximum of 314 nm.
Does it protect against UVA?
No. It is a UVB specialist. UVA protection in a formula comes from filters such as DHHB or bemotrizinol, which is why sunscreens combine several.
Is it the same as Uvinul T 150?
Yes — Uvinul T 150 is BASF's trade name for it, and Parsol EHT is DSM-Firmenich's.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Ethylhexyl triazone" — absorption maximum, molecular formula, molar mass, trade names
HourGlow Glow Shield Sunscreen — SPF 50+ PA++++, built on all three filters. 50 ml, Rs 999.
General information only. This page explains how UV filters work; it is not medical advice. Sunscreen performance depends on applying enough product and reapplying. For a specific skin concern, speak to a dermatologist.