Is Octocrylene Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Octocrylene is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (uv filters).
INCI name Octocrylene. CAS 6197-30-4.
Is Octocrylene banned in the EU?
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium |
| Where it shows up | sunscreen, SPF lotion, lip balm |
| CAS number | 6197-30-4 |
What is Octocrylene?
Octocrylene is an organic UV filter that stabilizes other filters.
Why is Octocrylene used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
Is Octocrylene dangerous? Documented risks
Can degrade into benzophenone, a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; the EU restricts its concentration.
Products that may contain Octocrylene
- 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
- Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30Aveeno
How to avoid Octocrylene: 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 Octocrylene
Is Octocrylene banned in the EU?
Octocrylene is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Octocrylene in US cosmetics?
Yes — Octocrylene 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 Octocrylene?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Octocrylene automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Octocrylene?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Octocrylene.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Octocrylene 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.