MINERAL
Titanium Dioxide
CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)
A white mineral used in skincare as a pigment for tints and a soft, even finish, and as a UV filter in mineral sunscreens.
Source
Refined from titanium minerals such as ilmenite and rutile
Used for
White pigment, mineral UV filter
How it works
A white mineral that reflects and scatters light.
Titanium dioxide is a white mineral pigment, made from naturally occurring titanium minerals such as rutile and ilmenite. On an ingredient list it's declared by its colour index number, CI 77891, often with its chemical name alongside.
It's one of only two mineral (inorganic) UV filters used in sunscreens, the other being zinc oxide. A review of the two minerals in sunscreens explains that titanium dioxide is most effective across the UVB range while zinc oxide covers more of the UVA range, which is why they're so often paired in mineral sun care. The same review notes that finer particles reduce the white cast larger particles can leave on skin.
Outside sun care, small amounts of titanium dioxide are used purely as a pigment, giving creams, tints and conditioners a soft, opaque, even colour. In a sunscreen, it's the SPF and UVA rating of the finished product that tells you how much protection it gives, not the ingredient on its own, so apply generously and reapply as directed.
It's one of only two mineral (inorganic) UV filters used in sunscreens, the other being zinc oxide. A review of the two minerals in sunscreens explains that titanium dioxide is most effective across the UVB range while zinc oxide covers more of the UVA range, which is why they're so often paired in mineral sun care. The same review notes that finer particles reduce the white cast larger particles can leave on skin.
Outside sun care, small amounts of titanium dioxide are used purely as a pigment, giving creams, tints and conditioners a soft, opaque, even colour. In a sunscreen, it's the SPF and UVA rating of the finished product that tells you how much protection it gives, not the ingredient on its own, so apply generously and reapply as directed.
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01
One of the two mineral UV filters used in sunscreen, most effective across the UVB range
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Paired with zinc oxide in mineral sun care formulas
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Also used as a white pigment for a soft, even, opaque finish
Questions
Does titanium dioxide work by reflecting UV light?
Mostly not. Titanium dioxide is often called a reflective 'physical' filter, but a laboratory study that measured how much UV light passed through and bounced off films of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide found they reflected only a small fraction of it. Their main way of filtering UV is absorption, which comes from the semiconductor structure of the mineral itself. (Cole et al., 2016)
How is titanium dioxide different from zinc oxide?
They are the two mineral UV filters used in sunscreens. A review of the two explains that titanium dioxide is more effective in the UVB range and zinc oxide in the UVA range, which is why they are often paired in mineral sunscreens. Finer particles reduce the opaque white look that larger particles can leave on skin. (Smijs & Pavel, 2011)
Where it comes from
Titanium dioxide is made from naturally occurring titanium minerals, chiefly ilmenite and rutile. (US Geological Survey, 2026)
As a pure white mineral powder, it is used in skincare both as a white pigment and as a mineral UV filter. (Smijs & Pavel, 2011)
As a pure white mineral powder, it is used in skincare both as a white pigment and as a mineral UV filter. (Smijs & Pavel, 2011)
Good to know
In a sunscreen, it's the SPF and UVA rating of the finished product that tells you how much protection you get, not titanium dioxide on its own. Apply generously as the last step of your morning routine and reapply as directed.
The research
- Smijs TG, Pavel S. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles in sunscreens: focus on their safety and effectiveness. Nanotechnology, Science and Applications. 2011;4:95-112. PMID: 24198489. (opens in a new tab)
- Cole C, Shyr T, Ou-Yang H. Metal oxide sunscreens protect skin by absorption, not by reflection or scattering. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2016 (opens in a new tab)
- US Geological Survey. Titanium Mineral Concentrates, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (opens in a new tab)
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