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Ingredient · INCI reference

PEG-25 PABA

CAS 116242-27-4

PEG-25 PABA is an older-generation organic UVB filter, a PEGylated derivative of PABA designed to reduce the sensitization issues of the parent compound. It is approved in the EU up to 10% but is not approved in the US, Japan, or Korea. It is not photostable, and EWG rates it 4.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters. Gen · old organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVB
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
02 Regional approval · max %
JP — — Japan: No data KR — — South Korea: No data EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US — — United States: No data
03 Safety profile
EWG score
4
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

What does PEG-25 PABA protect against?

It absorbs in the UVB range, so it helps prevent sunburn-range wavelengths. It provides no UVA coverage on its own and would need to be paired with UVA filters for broad-spectrum protection.

Can I find PEG-25 PABA in US or Asian sunscreens?

No. It is only an approved UV filter in the EU, capped at 10%. The US, Japan, and Korea have not approved it, so it does not appear in sunscreens sold in those markets.

Is PEG-25 PABA photostable?

No. It degrades on exposure to UV light, which means its protective performance drops during wear unless it is paired with stabilizing filters in the formula.

Is PEG-25 PABA related to the PABA people had allergies to?

It is a PEGylated derivative of PABA. The PEG chain was added to reduce the irritation associated with classic PABA, but it shares the same core chromophore.