Octocrylene (w/w)
Description
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
Function
Properties
Regulatory Status
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.
Historically marketed in the US; FDA states existing data is not sufficient to determine GRASE. Regulatory limbo. Final determination pending additional safety data.