Ethylhexyl Salicylate ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an oil-soluble UVB filter used in sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup with SPF. It helps boost UVB protection and can also help dissolve other oil-phase sunscreen filters.
What does Ethylhexyl Salicylate do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an oil-soluble UVB filter used in sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup with SPF. It helps boost UVB protection and can also help dissolve other oil-phase sunscreen filters.
Is Ethylhexyl Salicylate clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has some friction because it is a synthetic sunscreen active and is restricted by concentration limits in major regulations. It is generally considered low-sensitizing for many users, but clean standards may flag it due to endocrine-screening debate and aquatic-impact questions.
Is Ethylhexyl Salicylate sustainable?
This material is typically petrochemical-derived and is not a strong fit for renewable-sourcing goals. Environmental discussions focus on aquatic exposure and limited biodegradability data rather than a simple plant or mineral supply-chain issue.
Is Ethylhexyl Salicylate COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards as a synthetic UV filter. Its Green Chemistry fit is limited because it relies on synthetic feedstocks and does not offer clear advantages in renewability or end-of-life biodegradation.
How does Ethylhexyl Salicylate work chemically?
The molecule is an aromatic ester with a UV-absorbing ring system and a branched oil-soluble alkyl chain, which makes it compatible with anhydrous and emulsion oil phases. It is commonly used around 3% to 5%, is regulated at a 5% maximum in the US and EU, and is often paired with broader-spectrum filters because its main contribution is UVB coverage.
Last updated 2026-05-13