Is Homosalate Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Homosalate is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (uv filters).
INCI name Homosalate. CAS 118-56-9.
Is Homosalate banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | sunscreen, SPF moisturizer, SPF foundation |
| CAS number | 118-56-9 |
What is Homosalate?
Homosalate is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation.
Why is Homosalate used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
Is Homosalate dangerous? Documented risks
A suspected endocrine disruptor; the EU limits it to 7.34% in face products (2025), well below typical US concentrations.
Products that may contain Homosalate
- Coppertone Kids SPF 50 Sunscreen SprayCoppertone
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 60La Roche-Posay
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 100Neutrogena
- Coppertone SPORT SPF 50 Sunscreen LotionCoppertone
- Banana Boat Ultra Sport SPF 50+ Sunscreen LotionBanana Boat
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk SPF 100La Roche-Posay
- Banana Boat Kids SPF 50+ Sunscreen StickBanana Boat
How to avoid Homosalate: safer alternatives
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Frequently asked questions about Homosalate
Is Homosalate banned in the EU?
Homosalate is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Homosalate in US cosmetics?
Yes — Homosalate can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Homosalate?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Homosalate automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Homosalate?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Homosalate.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Homosalate or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related uv filters
Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
- Chemicals in cosmetics — CHEM Trust
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.