TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID

📋 Quick facts

Description: TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID — chemical UV filter (UVA), known as Mexoryl SX.

All Functions: chemical UV filter (UVA), known as Mexoryl SX

Quick Facts:

• Category: sunscreen

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID (TDSA) is a UV filter used internationally that offers broader UV protection than some currently approved U.S. sunscreen ingredients
• It’s a water-soluble UV filter designed to protect skin from ultraviolet radiation, the primary cause of skin cancer
• Currently available in international markets but not yet approved for use in the U.S.
• Can be combined with other UV filters in sunscreen formulations to achieve high sun protection factors

⚗️ Chemical Overview

Ecamsule is a monoterpenoid. Ecamsule is an organic compound which is added to many sunscreens to filter out UVA rays. It is a benzylidene camphor derivative, many of which are known for their excellent photostability. Ecamsule has been approved for use in the U.S. since 2006, but only at a specific concentration and only in a few products manufactured by L’Oreal. The company got approval for those products through a new drug application process. structure given in first source; abreviated as TDSA; FDA approved 2006 as component of Anthelios SX along with avobenzone and octocrylene

Source(s): ChEBI, Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), DrugBank, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid (also called TDSA or Ecamsule) is a newer UV filter that has demonstrated favorable safety and efficacy profiles internationally, according to *Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed* (2025). It’s classified as a water-soluble filter, meaning it dissolves in water-based solutions, which contrasts with oil-soluble UV absorbers. #1: The ingredient offers broader and more stable UV protection compared to some older sunscreen filters currently approved in the U.S., though it remains unavailable domestically due to regulatory barriers (*Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed*, 2025). When tested in sunscreen formulations, TDSA demonstrated meaningful protective capabilities. #2: In a study published in *J Invest Dermatol* (2000), a sunscreen containing TDSA functioned as a UVA filter and showed comparable ability to prevent DNA photodamage (thymine dimers and 6-4 photoproducts) when matched against a formula with octyl methoxycinnamate, a UVB filter, both at sun protection factor 4.

This suggests the ingredient can help protect against UV-induced DNA damage that may lead to skin cancer. From a formulation perspective, #3: TDSA can be combined synergistically with other UV filters to achieve both high sun protection factors (SPF) and UVA protection factors in photostable formulations. Research in *Dermatol Ther (Heidelb)* (2012) demonstrated that combining TDSA with other filters like bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and butyl methoxy dibenzoyl methane, along with a stabilizing agent, produced a sunscreen with SPF 50+ and UVA-PF of 38 while using a reduced total amount of UV filters compared to other sunscreens with equivalent efficacy. The ingredient is also used in laboratory and quality-control testing of sunscreen products.

*J Chromatogr A* (2002) and *J Cosmet Sci* (2012) describe analytical methods for detecting and measuring TDSA in sunscreen formulations, confirming it’s one of the most commonly used water-soluble UV filters in sunscreen sprays globally.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Turner CW et al. (2025). Modernizing U.S. Sunscreen Regulations: How Newer Filters Can Improve Public Health. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed.
• Chisvert A et al. (2002). Determination of water-soluble UV-filters in sunscreen sprays by liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr A.
• Kim D et al. (2012). Simultaneous analysis and monitoring of 16 UV filters in cosmetics by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Cosmet Sci.
• Young AR et al. (2000). Protection by ultraviolet A and B sunscreens against in situ dipyrimidine photolesions in human epidermis is comparable to protection against sunburn. J Invest Dermatol.
• L’alloret F et al. (2012). New combination of ultraviolet absorbers in an oily emollient increases sunscreen efficacy and photostability. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb).

🧴 Products Containing TEREPHTHALYLIDENE DICAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID

• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier ambre solaire sensitive expert+ (50+)
• Mixa solaire Protection Enfant 1ères Sorties Au Soleil Spf50+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Pocket Dermo-Pediatrics
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier Ambre Solaire Enfant Sensitive Expert +
• La Roche-Posay Dermo-pediatrics spray application facile SPF 50+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL 50+ ultra-léger
• La Roche-Posay Lait solaire anthelios XL 50+
• SNAIL WHITE Everyday glow sunscreen
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier Ambre solaire 30FPS
• Laboratoires Vichy Spray douceur enfants spf 50
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics SPF 50+ Spray Multi-Positions
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Lait Enfant SPF 50+
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, L’Oréal Paris Sublime Sun Lait protecteur anti-dessèchement FPS 30
• L’Oréal,L’Oreal Consumer products,Garnier Leche Solar UV Sensitive 50+
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier Ambre solaire Resisto Enfant FPS 50+
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier Ambre Solaire Spray protecteur brumisateur FPS 20
• Ambre solaire Kids sensitive advanced
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier Ambre solaire enfant
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier, Ambre Solaire Ambre Solaire Enfant Sensitive Expert FPS 50+
• Garnier 50* Super UV Acide Hyaluronique
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier AMBRE SOLAIRE Hydra 24H Sonnenschutz-Spray (SPF 30)
• Mixa, Mixa Solaire Lait Solaire Tolérance Optimale SPF50
• Mixa Solaire Creme Solaire Peaux Très Claires Spf50+
• Mixa Solaire Crème Solaire Peaux sensibles SPF 50
• Mixa Solaire Lait Solaire SPF 50+ Peaux très claires
• Mixa, Mixa Solaire, Mixa Solaire Peau Sensible BB Crème Solaire Teinté SPF 50+
• Mixa Solaire Spray Solaire Tolérance Optimale Spf50+
• Mixa Solaire Spray Solaire Tolérance Optimale Spf30
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, Biotherm Biotherm Anti-wrinkles sun cream
• Revuele Daily face cream, sunprotect
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier Garnier solar ambre anti-age super UV
• Dr. Ceuracle Hyal Reyouth Moist Sun SPF50+ PA++++ moisturizing UV protection face & body
• vichy
• Vichy Mineral 89 72h moisture boosting daily fluid
• L’Oreal revitalift clinical daily anti-uv fluid
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios xl 50 spf + spray
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Consumer products, Garnier Delial niños 50+