Is Lead acetate or Homosalate worse?

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

Are both Lead acetate and Homosalate banned in the EU?

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

Are they both legal in the US?

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

Lead acetate vs Homosalate: which is worse?

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

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

What is Lead acetate?

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

What is Homosalate?

Homosalate is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation.

Documented risks

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

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

Got either one in your pantry?

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