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Neutral
uv absorber uv filter

Octocrylene

Octocrylene

Characteristics

INCI
Octocrylene
CAS
6197-30-4
EC
228-250-8
IUPAC
2-Cyano-3,3-Diphenyl Acrylic Acid 2-Ethylhexyl Ester
Functions
uv absorber, uv filter
EU Restr.
VI/10

Who it's for

Skin Type
▲ Dry ▲ Oily ▲ Combination ▲ Normal ▲ Acne-Prone
Face Concern
▼ Sensitive Skin ▼ Rosacea ▼ Eczema ▲ UV Protection
Application Area
▲ Face ▲ Body ▲ Lips
octocrylene is the substituted acrylate that conforms to the formula

Description

An oil-soluble chemical sunscreen agent that protects skin in the UVB and somewhat in the UVA II range with a peak absorption of 304 nm. Its protection is not strong enough on its own but it is quite photostable (loses 10% of SPF protection in 95 mins) and is often used to stabilize other photo-unstable UV-filters, for example, Avobenzone. It is also often used to improve the water resistance of the products. 

Octocrylene's safety profile is generally quite good, though a review study in Contact Dermatitis reports an "increasing number of patients with photo contact allergy to octocrylene." Mainly adults with ketoprofen-sensitivity and children with sensitive skin are affected, so if you have a small kid, it is probably better to use octocrylene-free sunscreens.

Frequently Asked Questions about Octocrylene

What does octocrylene do in sunscreen?
Octocrylene is a UV filter that helps sunscreen protect skin from UVB rays, which are a major cause of sunburn. It also helps stabilize some other sunscreen filters, making the formula last longer and work more consistently in sunlight. On its own, it is usually used as part of a blend rather than as the only active ingredient.
Is octocrylene safe for skin?
For most people, octocrylene is considered safe when used in sunscreen at approved concentrations. It can, however, irritate sensitive skin or trigger contact allergy in a small number of users. If your skin stings, gets itchy, or breaks out after using a product with octocrylene, it may be worth switching to a different UV filter.
Can octocrylene cause an allergic reaction?
Yes, octocrylene can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people, although this is not common. Reactions may include redness, itching, swelling, or a rash where the product was applied. People with very sensitive skin or a history of sunscreen allergies may want to patch-test a new product first.
Is octocrylene bad for your skin?
Not usually. Octocrylene is mainly a concern for people who react to it, rather than for skin in general. For the rest of the population, the bigger issue is whether the formula feels comfortable and whether you can use it consistently enough to get sun protection.
Is octocrylene the same as octinoxate?
No, octocrylene and octinoxate are different sunscreen filters. Both help absorb UVB rays, but they are different molecules and are used for slightly different formulation purposes. If you are avoiding one of them, check the ingredient list carefully because they are not interchangeable names.

Evidence & Research on Octocrylene

Scientific publications & sources 4
  • 1
    Couteau, C., et al. "Study of the efficacy of 18 sun filters authorized in European Union tested in vitro." Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 62.6 (2007): 449-452.
    Find in PubMed
  • 2
    Couteau, Céline, et al. "Study of the photostability of 18 sunscreens in creams by measuring the SPF in vitro." Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis 44.1 (2007): 270-273.
    Find in PubMed
  • 3
    Scalia, Santo, and Matteo Mezzena. "Incorporation in lipid microparticles of the UVA filter, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane combined with the UVB filter, octocrylene: effect on photostability." AAPS PharmSciTech 10.2 (2009): 384-390.
    Find in PubMed
  • 4
    de Groot, Anton C., and David W. Roberts. "Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review." Contact dermatitis 70.4 (2014): 193-204.
    Find in PubMed

Products with Octocrylene (5 777 total)

Most often found in Nivea products (124 items)

All 5 777 products →
Synonyms
(2.0%) Octocrylene (4.5%) Octocrylene (5%) Octocrylene (5%)Octocrylene (6.0%)Octocrylene (10.0%) (8.0%) Octocrylene (And)Octocrylene (Methoxy) Octocrylene (Uv Filter) Octocrylene (10.0%) * Octocrylene + Octocrylene 2-Ethylhexyl-2-Cyano-3 Octocrylene⁠ Octocrylene - (10.0 %) (Sunscreen) Octocrylene - (10.0%)