Octocrylene 7% ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a synthetic oil-soluble UV filter used mainly for UVB protection, with some short-UVA coverage. At 7%, it also helps stabilize less photostable sunscreen filters in the oil phase.
What does Octocrylene 7% do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a synthetic oil-soluble UV filter used mainly for UVB protection, with some short-UVA coverage. At 7%, it also helps stabilize less photostable sunscreen filters in the oil phase.
Is Octocrylene 7% clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, it has notable friction because many retailer and brand standards restrict or exclude it due to sensitization reports, endocrine-screening debate, and degradation impurity concerns. It is still legally permitted in many conventional sunscreen systems within concentration limits.
Is Octocrylene 7% sustainable?
This material is synthetic and typically petroleum-derived, with limited alignment to renewable sourcing. It is not readily biodegradable and has environmental persistence and bioaccumulation concerns in aquatic settings.
Is Octocrylene 7% COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards for certified products. Its Green Chemistry fit is weak because it relies on synthetic petrochemical feedstocks and has persistence concerns, despite providing strong filter performance at relatively low use levels.
How does Octocrylene 7% work chemically?
The molecule is an oil-soluble aromatic ester with a conjugated electron-withdrawing system that absorbs mainly UVB and short-UVA wavelengths and can improve photostability of other filters. It is commonly used up to 10% in regulated sunscreen markets, remains in the oil phase rather than being pH-driven, and aged material can show increasing levels of a benzophenone-type degradation impurity.
Last updated 2026-08-18