CosmeticBet
UV filters

Octocrylene

INCI: OCTOCRYLENE

A UVB filter often paired with avobenzone, and a known photoallergen.

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C24H27NO2361.50 g/mol
oxygennitrogencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 22571

How common

All products1.7%
In sunscreens31%
In make-up products2.2%
In hair colours2%

250 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 164 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • An ester (2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate): a yellow, thick liquid that does not mix with water.

    SourceHide
    2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate is a yellow viscous liquid. Insoluble in water.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Why it is in products

  • To absorb UVB and UVA II in sunscreens and skin care; it is often combined with avobenzone.

    2 sourcesHide
    Octocrylene is an ultraviolet (UV)B and UVAII absorber that was introduced some 15 years ago, and is now widely used in sunscreen agents and skin care cosmetics.[2] Review · 2014 · open source
    Octocrylene is also often combined with avobenzone[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Downsides and safety

  • Photoallergy: since 2003, more and more patients have reacted to it in sunlight, mostly adults who had used gels with ketoprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug. Plain contact allergy is far rarer, and mostly seen in children.

    Good evidence3 sourcesHide
    Since 2003, several studies, notably from France, Belgium, Spain, and Italy, have reported an increasing number of patients with photocontact allergy to octocrylene.[2] Review · 2014 · open source
    This reaction is seen mainly in adult patients who have previously used topical products containing the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen.[2] Review · 2014 · open source
    Contact allergy to octocrylene also occurs, but is far less frequent, and is seen, in most cases, in children[2] Review · 2014 · open source

  • Checked for possible hormone effects, EU scientists found it safe at up to 10% (9% in propellant sprays used together with other products containing it).

    Well established3 sourcesHide
    considering the concerns related to its potential endocrine disrupting properties[3] EU law · 2022 · open source
    that Octocrylene is safe as a UV-filter at concentrations up to 10 % in cosmetic products when used individually[3] EU law · 2022 · open source
    The SCCS considered the use of Octocrylene in such products safe when its concentration does not exceed 9 %[3] EU law · 2022 · open source

  • It passes into the blood: in an FDA trial with maximal use, its blood levels were above the threshold that calls for further safety studies. The FDA authors said this does not mean people should stop using sunscreen.

    Some evidence4 sourcesHide
    sunscreen active ingredients with systemic absorption greater than 0.5 ng/mL or with safety concerns should undergo nonclinical toxicology assessment[4] Study · 2019 · open source
    application of 4 commercially available sunscreens under maximal use conditions resulted in plasma concentrations that exceeded the threshold established by the FDA for potentially waiving some nonclinical toxicology studies for sunscreens[4] Study · 2019 · open source
    These results do not indicate that individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen.[4] Study · 2019 · open source
    for octocrylene, 2.9 ng/mL (102%) for spray 1, 7.8 ng/mL (113.3%) for spray 2, 5.7 ng/mL (66.3%) for lotion, and 5.7 ng/mL (47.1%) for cream[4] Study · 2019 · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

On the skin, in the layer of sunscreen, where filters protect it from UV rays.

SourceHide
In the case of sunscreen, active ingredients are the ones that are protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Rules

European Union

  • As a UV filter up to 10%, or 9% in propellant sprays.

    SourceHide
    Octocrylene 6197-30-4 228-250-8 a) Propellant spray products b) Other products a) 9 % b) 10 %[6] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • Used in US sunscreens, but in 2021 the FDA found too little data to call it safe and effective, and asked for more.

    SourceHide
    Because the public record did not currently contain sufficient data to support positive GRASE determinations for cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone or avobenzone, we proposed that these ingredients are not GRASE because they require additional data.[7] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Sources

  1. PubChem: Octocrylene (CID 22571), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review de Groot AC et al., Contact dermatitis, 2014Review
  3. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1176 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the use of certain UV filters (benzophenone-3, octocrylene) Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2022EU law
  4. Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial Matta MK et al., JAMA, 2019Study
  5. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun | FDA US Food and Drug Administration
  6. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law
  7. Questions and Answers: FDA’s regulatory actions on over-the-counter sunscreen | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.