Is Homosalate or Lead acetate worse?

Lead acetate carries the heavier risk profile. See the side-by-side data table for documented risks, country bans, and citations.

Are both Homosalate and Lead acetate banned in the EU?

Homosalate is restricted in the EU. Lead acetate is banned in the EU.

Are they both legal in the US?

Homosalate: allowed in the US. Lead acetate: allowed in the US.

Homosalate vs Lead acetate: which is worse?

Quick answer: Lead acetate carries the heavier risk profile. Homosalate is restricted in the EU and allowed in the US; Lead acetate is banned in the EU and allowed in the US.

Property	Homosalate	Lead acetate
EU status	Restricted	Banned
US status	Allowed	Allowed
Risk level	medium	high
Banned in	—	European Union
Restricted in	European Union	—
Category	uv filter	heavy metal
Where it hides	sunscreen, SPF moisturizer, SPF foundation	progressive hair dye, men's hair color

What is Homosalate?

Homosalate is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation.

What is Lead acetate?

Lead acetate is a lead compound used in progressive darkening hair dyes.

Documented risks

Homosalate: A suspected endocrine disruptor; the EU limits it to 7.34% in face products (2025), well below typical US concentrations.

Lead acetate: Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level. Banned in EU cosmetics; the US FDA revoked its authorization in 2018.

Got either one in your pantry?

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