Primary Functions
- Photostable UVA-filter direction
- UVA1 and broad-spectrum system support
- Low-white-cast organic sunscreen formulation
Ingredient directions
DHHB Sunscreen Development
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) Sunscreen Formulation and Manufacturing
Develop private label or custom DHHB sunscreen around the exact Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate grade, assay and impurity profile, oil-phase solubilization, companion UV filters, film formation, packaging, finished-product testing, and destination-market requirements. DHHB is a photostable UVA filter, but its concentration alone does not establish SPF, UVA-PF, or broad-spectrum compliance.
Ingredient Snapshot
At a Glance
Buyer Value
- Useful for modern sunscreen briefs requiring strong UVA coverage without mineral white cast
- Requires early decisions on grade purity impurity control solubilization companion filters film formation testing and destination-market regulation
Best-Fit Product Formats
Material Note
Confirm the exact DHHB grade, assay, impurity specification including DnHexP where relevant, physical form, solubility guidance, storage, and supplier regulatory documentation before development.
Ingredient Direction
What Is Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB)?
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, abbreviated DHHB, is a synthetic, oil-soluble organic UVA filter. COSMILE Europe describes it as absorbing UVA radiation at approximately 320–400 nm. It is valued for strong UVA coverage and high photostability in modern sunscreen systems.
Uvinul® A Plus is BASF’s trade name for a DHHB grade, not a generic synonym for every Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate raw material. Commercial grades should be evaluated by their own assay, impurity profile, physical form, solubility guidance, and regulatory documentation.
Concept Development
Why Brands Consider DHHB Sunscreen
DHHB is useful when UVA performance, photostability, and cosmetic elegance are major brief requirements.
Photostable UVA Protection
DHHB is recognized as a photostable UVA filter with coverage extending through UVA1. It can strengthen UVA-PF and broad-spectrum design with suitable companion filters.
Low-White-Cast Direction
As a soluble organic filter, DHHB can support transparent or low-white-cast sunscreen concepts. Finished clarity and sensory feel still depend on the full oil phase, filter load, emollients, film formers, and package.
Flexible Filter-System Role
DHHB can be combined with other permitted filters to balance UVA and UVB performance. Do not assume, however, that DHHB automatically photostabilizes Avobenzone; published formulation research found DHHB itself photostable but did not demonstrate an Avobenzone-stabilizing effect in the tested systems.
Modern International Sunscreen Positioning
DHHB is permitted in multiple non-U.S. sunscreen markets, making it commercially relevant for international briefs. U.S. sunscreen projects require a separate filter strategy because DHHB is not listed in the current FDA OTC Monograph M020 sunscreen active-ingredient list.
Format Selection
Products You Can Make With DHHB
The main route is sunscreen development, where solubilization, spectral balance, film quality, testing, and target-market regulation must be developed together.
| Product Format | Development Direction | Review First |
|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen Development | Face, body, lightweight, low-white-cast, or hybrid UV-filter systems | DHHB grade, impurity profile, oil-phase solubility, companion filters, film formation, SPF/UVA testing, packaging, and market rules |
Formulation Notes
What to Confirm Before Sampling
DHHB development depends on exact material quality, oil-phase solubilization, filter balance, and destination-market compliance.
Confirm Grade and Impurity Control
Review INCI, assay, impurities, physical form, storage, batch COA, and supplier regulatory documentation. For EU projects, include current DnHexP impurity documentation rather than assuming all DHHB grades are equivalent.
Keep DHHB Fully Solubilized
DHHB is an oil-soluble crystalline filter. Confirm solvent and emollient capacity, processing sequence, cooling behavior, and low-temperature stability so crystallization does not undermine uniformity or finished-film performance.
Build the Complete UV-Filter System
DHHB mainly addresses UVA. SPF, UVA-PF, broad-spectrum balance, water resistance, and durability depend on companion filters, concentration, vehicle, film formers, distribution, and the tested finished sunscreen.
Plan for Current EU and U.S. Rules
The EU permits DHHB up to 10%. Regulation (EU) 2026/909 also sets a 10 ppm maximum for unavoidable DnHexP impurity, with non-compliant products barred from placement on the Union market from January 1, 2027 and from availability from July 1, 2028. DHHB is not listed in the current U.S. M020 sunscreen active ingredients.
Technical and regulatory references checked September 11, 2026: COSMILE Europe DHHB record, BASF Uvinul® A Plus product record, Regulation (EU) 2026/909, SCCS DHHB scientific advice, DHHB photostability study, and the June 2026 FDA M020 final administrative order. These sources do not establish a universal use level, solvent system, filter combination, SPF, UVA-PF, or finished-product performance.
Start With the Exact DHHB Grade and Target Market
Discuss Your DHHB Sunscreen Project
Share your DHHB material reference, assay and impurity specification, target product format, intended level, oil-phase and companion-filter system, target SPF and UVA direction, sensory and water-resistance goals, packaging, quantity, destination market, and claim requirements. Rixin can review the formulation route and the questions to resolve before sampling and sunscreen testing.