Is Triclosan or Homosalate worse?

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

Are both Triclosan and Homosalate banned in the EU?

Triclosan is restricted in the EU. Homosalate is restricted in the EU.

Are they both legal in the US?

Triclosan: allowed in the US. Homosalate: allowed in the US.

Triclosan vs Homosalate: which is worse?

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

Property	Triclosan	Homosalate
EU status	Restricted	Restricted
US status	Allowed	Allowed
Risk level	high	medium
Banned in	—	—
Restricted in	European Union	European Union
Category	endocrine disruptor	uv filter
Where it hides	antibacterial soap, toothpaste, deodorant	sunscreen, SPF moisturizer, SPF foundation

What is Triclosan?

Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

What is Homosalate?

Homosalate is an organic UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation.

Documented risks

Triclosan: An endocrine disruptor linked to antibiotic resistance. Restricted in the EU and banned in US over-the-counter antibacterial soaps, but still allowed in some products.

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?

Scan a barcode and we'll flag both Triclosan and Homosalate (plus 200+ other ingredients banned overseas).