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Ingredient · INCI reference

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

a.k.a. Octinoxate

CAS 5466-77-3

Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) is an older organic UVB filter that is not photostable on its own. It is approved up to 7.5% in the US and Korea, 10% in the EU, and 20% in Japan. Available safety data flags it as an endocrine disruptor and reef-toxic, with an EWG score of 6.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters. Gen · old organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVB
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — not covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
02 Regional approval · max %
JP ✓ 20% Japan: Approved · max 20% KR ✓ 7.5% South Korea: Approved · max 7.5% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US ✓ 7.5% United States: Approved · max 7.5%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
6
Reef-toxic
Yes
Endocrine disruptor
Yes
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

Is Octinoxate photostable?

No. It degrades under UV on its own, so it is typically paired with stabilizers or co-filters like octocrylene or bemotrizinol so the formula maintains UVB protection through wear.

Is Octinoxate reef-safe?

Available data flags Octinoxate as reef-toxic. If reef impact is a concern, mineral-only formulas or filters not flagged as reef-toxic in this data are commonly chosen instead.

What are the regulatory limits?

Caps in this data are 7.5% in the US and Korea, 10% in the EU, and 20% in Japan. The Japan limit is the highest because it is regulated there as a quasi-drug active.

Why is the EWG score relatively high?

It is rated EWG 6 and flagged for endocrine disruption in available data, which together raise its hazard score relative to newer filters like Ethylhexyl Triazone or Bisoctrizole.

Products in catalogue

Containing Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate