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High concernUV filter

Octocrylene

Endocrine disruptorAllergenEnvironmental persistence

What it is

A cinnamate-like UV filter stabilised with a cyano group, oily and lipophilic.

What it does

Absorbs UVB and short UVA radiation and is commonly added to avobenzone-containing formulas to stabilise the avobenzone.

Why it’s a concern

A 2021 study by Downs et al. in Chemical Research in Toxicology found that octocrylene in sunscreens degrades over time into benzophenone, a suspected carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. The same study found older sunscreen bottles contained benzophenone at levels that would fail EU cosmetic regulations. Contact dermatitis cases are widely reported.

Also known as

2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate

CAS numbers

6197-30-4

Commonly found in

sunscreenspf moisturiser

Safer alternatives

  • non-nano zinc oxide
  • non-nano titanium dioxide

Sources

  • Downs et al. 2021, Chem Res Toxicol