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Quick answer: Octisalate carries the heavier risk profile. Homosalate is restricted in the EU and allowed in the US; Octisalate is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Homosalate | Octisalate |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Restricted | Allowed |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium | low |
| Banned in | — | — |
| Restricted in | European Union | — |
| Category | uv filter | uv filter |
| Where it hides | sunscreen, SPF moisturizer, SPF foundation | Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 100, Coppertone Sport SPF 50, Neutrogena Beach Defense SPF 70 |
Homosalate is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation.
Octisalate (INCI: Ethylhexyl Salicylate) is an oil-soluble UVB-absorbing chemical sunscreen active. It is primarily used as a UVB filter and photostabilizer for avobenzone.
Homosalate: A suspected endocrine disruptor; the EU limits it to 7.34% in face products (2025), well below typical US concentrations.
Octisalate: Octisalate is FDA-approved at up to 5% and EU-permitted at up to 5%. It has a good safety record and low sensitization rate. The 2019 FDA absorption study detected systemic absorption above the 0.5 ng/mL threshold, warranting further study. This does not indicate known harm. It is a salicylate; those with aspirin sensitivity should note the structural relationship, though reactions are rare.
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