Octocrylene 8.7% ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an oil-soluble UV filter used mainly to absorb UVB and short UVA wavelengths. It also helps photostabilize less stable sunscreen filters in emulsions and anhydrous formulas.
What does Octocrylene 8.7% do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an oil-soluble UV filter used mainly to absorb UVB and short UVA wavelengths. It also helps photostabilize less stable sunscreen filters in emulsions and anhydrous formulas.
Is Octocrylene 8.7% clean?
Clean-beauty programs often restrict or exclude it because of sensitization and photoallergy potential, eye sting, and concern over trace benzophenone-related impurities or degradation products. It is a regulated sunscreen active rather than a general cosmetic additive, with concentration limits set by regional authorities.
Is Octocrylene 8.7% sustainable?
This material is a synthetic, petroleum-derived aromatic ester and is not considered readily biodegradable. Environmental screening has raised concerns about persistence in aquatic settings and accumulation in marine organisms, which gives it weak sustainability alignment.
Is Octocrylene 8.7% COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards for certified products. From a Green Chemistry perspective, it scores poorly because it relies on petrochemical feedstocks, has limited biodegradability, and carries aquatic persistence concerns.
How does Octocrylene 8.7% work chemically?
The molecule is a lipophilic aromatic ester with a conjugated cyanoacrylate chromophore that absorbs primarily in the UVB range and can boost the stability of certain UVA filters. It is commonly used up to 10% where allowed, performs best in the oil phase, and requires antioxidant and impurity-control strategies because degradation can increase benzophenone-related residues over time.
Last updated 2026-05-16