Titanium dioxide – the second mineral UV filter in sun protection

UV-B protection

Titanium dioxide reflects the UV-B range especially well – the part that matters for sunburn protection.

Highly tolerable

Like zinc oxide, it's a mineral filter – it doesn't penetrate the skin, ideal for sensitive skin and children.

Stable & effective

It doesn't lose its protective effect under UV exposure – unlike some chemical filters.

At a glance

INCI Titanium Dioxide
Form Non-Nano (>100 nm)
Effect Mineral UV filter
UV range Mainly UV-B, partly UV-A
Onset of effect Immediately on application
Amount used in sunscreen 5–15 %
Tolerability Very high
Environmental impact Reef-friendly (non-nano)
M
Marc · Product developer at forpeople

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are our mineral UV filters – for good reason.

Both reflect UV radiation physically, don't penetrate the skin and are reef-friendly. We use them in every one of our solid sunscreens. For on the go there's the compact mini version, and for beach days the tinted Ocean Blue edition. Sun protection without second thoughts.

Active in detail

Mineral UV filter with a focus on UV-B

Titanium dioxide is a mineral UV filter that, like zinc oxide, has been used in dermatological skincare for decades. It physically reflects UV radiation away from the skin – especially well in the UV-B range, the main cause of sunburn. Combined with zinc oxide, you get full broad-spectrum protection.

Skin-type check

Which skin is titanium dioxide right for?

Like zinc oxide: the highest possible tolerability – the first choice for sensitive, reactive skin and children's skin.

S
Sensitive skin Top
Mineral filters are the standard recommendation for sensitive and reactive skin.
B
Babies & children Top
A classic recommendation in children's dermatology.
A
Acne-prone skin Top
It doesn't settle into the skin and can't make acne worse.
R
Reactive skin Top
Very well tolerated with rosacea, couperose and sun allergy.
N
Normal skin Top
Daily sun protection for anti-aging prevention.
Ö
Oily skin Mit Bedacht
Solid sunscreens without any water content are especially well tolerated.
Science & care

How does titanium dioxide work on the skin?

Three mechanisms that put titanium dioxide and zinc oxide on many sun-protection recommendations.

01

Reflection instead of absorption

Titanium dioxide physically reflects UV rays away from the skin – no chemical conversion process, no heat.

02

UV-B specialist

Especially strong in the UV-B range (290–320 nm) – the part that causes sunburn.

03

Stable under UV exposure

Unlike some chemical filters, titanium dioxide isn't broken down by UV radiation – steady, consistent effect.

Titanium dioxide · Mineral · UV-B specialist
Use Cases

What can you use titanium dioxide for?

Daily sun protection

High sun protection on the face for your daily routine

Sun protection for children

Recommended for babies and toddlers

Outdoor sport

Water-resistant solid sunscreen for climbing, hiking, surfing

Daytime anti-aging

UV protection is the most important anti-aging active

After treatments

Very well tolerated after peels, microdermabrasion, laser

Sensitive skin

For rosacea, sun allergy and couperose

Reef-friendly

Safe when snorkelling and diving (non-nano)

Healing skin

For skin irritations and in the post-op phase

Science

What do studies say?

Photochem. Photobiol. 2013

„Non-nano titanium dioxide offers effective UV-B protection without penetrating the skin."

Penetration study.
Skin Pharmacol. Physiol. 2011

„A combination of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide gives broad-spectrum UV protection comparable to chemical filters."

Comparative study.
JAMA Dermatol. 2019

„Unlike chemical filters, mineral filters such as titanium dioxide aren't detected in blood plasma."

FDA filter study.
Terms

Glossary

Titanium dioxide (TiO2)
Mineral UV filter, reflects UV radiation physically.
Non-nano
Particles >100 nm – can't penetrate the skin and are considered reef-friendly.
UV-A vs. UV-B
UV-B causes sunburn; UV-A penetrates deeper and drives skin ageing.
Mineral filter
Stays on the skin's surface – unlike chemical filters, which penetrate the skin.
Whitening effect
Mineral filters can leave a slight white film – tinted versions balance that out.
Zinc oxide combination
The best sun protection uses both mineral filters together.

Magazine

To the blog
BienenwachsBienenwachs in der Kosmetik: Was es kann – und warum wir es lieben
Rissige Fersen, müde Füße, trockene Haut: Warum 90 % aller Fußcremes hauptsächlich Wasser sind
SonnencremeSonnenallergie bei Kindern? Oft ist die Sonnencreme das Problem – nicht die Sonne

Sun allergy in children? Often the sunscreen is the problem – not the sun

Red patches, itching or little bumps after a day in the sun are quickly written off as a sun allergy. But in conversations with more than 30 customers we kept hearing something different: the skin ...