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Quick answer: Zinc pyrithione carries the heavier risk profile. Octocrylene is restricted in the EU and allowed in the US; Zinc pyrithione is banned in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Octocrylene | Zinc pyrithione |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | Restricted | Banned |
| US status | Allowed | Allowed |
| Risk level | medium | medium |
| Banned in | — | European Union |
| Restricted in | European Union | — |
| Category | uv filter | cmr |
| Where it hides | sunscreen, SPF lotion, lip balm | anti-dandruff shampoo, anti-acne products |
Octocrylene is an organic UV filter that stabilizes other filters.
Zinc pyrithione is an antifungal and antibacterial active in dandruff shampoos.
Octocrylene: Can degrade into benzophenone, a possible carcinogen and endocrine disruptor; the EU restricts its concentration.
Zinc pyrithione: Reclassified as a reproductive toxicant in the EU and banned as a cosmetic preservative in 2022; still a key US OTC dandruff active.
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