active

Octocrylene

INCI: OCTOCRYLENE

CAS 6197-30-4 EC 228-250-8

2-Cyano-3,3-Diphenyl Acrylic Acid 2-Ethylhexyl Ester

Limited Data

Insufficient safety data available. Consider enriching this ingredient.

Details

Description

2-Cyano-3,3-Diphenyl Acrylic Acid 2-Ethylhexyl Ester

Purpose

Function

Oil-soluble UVB and short-wave UVA UV filter; triplet-state quencher and radical scavenger that photostabilizes avobenzone by accepting triplet energy and dissipating it harmlessly; peak absorption ~303 nm; may hydrolyze to benzophenone as a degradation product over product shelf life

Profile

Properties

Silicone

Silicone free

Compliance

Regulatory Status

Permitted

Safety

MODERATE

Restricted

EU Max Concentration10%

Absorptionhigh

Sensitizationmoderate

MoSnot established

NOAEL153 mg/kg

ConcernHigh

Flags

uv-filteruvbshort-wave-uvaoil-solubleavobenzone-stabilizertriplet-quencherfda-limbosystemic-absorptionbenzophenone-formationendocrine-disruption-concernphotocontact-allergenfatty-tissue-accumulationsccs-reassessment-ongoingendocrine_disruptorifra_fragranceeu_cosing_listed

Verdict

Octocrylene is a dual-function UV filter and avobenzone photostabilizer critical to many US sunscreen formulations, but it hydrolyzes to benzophenone over shelf life—a potential endocrine disruptor and suspected carcinogen that bio-accumulates in fatty tissue. Systemic absorption is confirmed; SCCS safety reassessment is ongoing through 2025–2026; FDA approval status remains in limbo pending additional safety data. Alternatives such as bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S) can stabilize avobenzone without this benzophenone degradation risk.

US Note

Historically marketed in the US; FDA states existing data is not sufficient to determine GRASE. Regulatory limbo. Final determination pending additional safety data.

Assessment

Ratings

Comedogenic0/5

LowHigh

Irritancy0/5

LowHigh

Reference

Identifiers

CAS Number

6197-30-4

EC Number

228-250-8

INCI

OCTOCRYLENE