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Answer: Padimate O is not currently banned worldwide, but health agencies have flagged concerns. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: low. Commonly found in: Some older-formulation Coppertone products, Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF.
TL;DR: Padimate O is allowed in the EU but allowed in the US (uv filters).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name PADIMATE O. Also called OD-PABA. CAS 21245-02-3.
Other names: Octyl Dimethyl PABA, OD-PABA, Escalol 507
| EU status | Allowed |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | Some older-formulation Coppertone products, Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF |
| CAS number | 21245-02-3 |
Padimate O (octyl dimethyl PABA) is an oil-soluble UVB-absorbing UV filter derived from PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid). It was once one of the most common UVB filters in US sunscreens but has declined in use since the 1990s.
Absorbs UVB radiation (290–315 nm) to prevent sunburn. It is very soluble in oil-based sunscreen systems.
Padimate O is FDA-approved at up to 8%. It is a PABA derivative and carries a rare risk of photoallergic contact dermatitis in individuals sensitive to PABA-related compounds. There are some in vitro studies suggesting potential DNA damage from padimate O under UV exposure, though this has not been substantiated in human studies at cosmetic use levels. The CIR has assessed it as safe. Its use has largely been replaced by more modern, better-tolerated filters.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Padimate Owith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Octisalate or ensulizole as alternative UVB filters without PABA-related sensitization risk.
It declined due to the PABA-sensitivity risk and availability of better-tolerated, more photostable alternatives like octisalate and modern broad-spectrum filters.
It is FDA-approved and CIR-safe. Rare PABA-sensitized individuals may react; for everyone else, it is safe at approved concentrations.
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