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Ingredient · INCI reference

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

a.k.a. Octisalate

CAS 118-60-5

Octisalate (Ethylhexyl Salicylate) is an older organic UVB filter that is photostable. It is approved up to 5% in the EU, Korea, and US, and up to 10% in Japan. Available safety data is favorable, with an EWG score of 2 and no endocrine or reef-toxicity flags.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. 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 ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US ✓ 5% United States: Approved · max 5%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
2
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

What does Octisalate do in a sunscreen?

It absorbs UVB and is also a useful solvent for other UV filters, which is why it appears in many multi-filter formulas. It is photostable on its own.

Is Octisalate considered safe?

Available data shows EWG 2, comedogenicity 0, and no endocrine or reef-toxicity flags, putting it among the lower-concern older organic UVB filters.

Does Octisalate cover UVA?

No. It absorbs UVB only, so a sunscreen relying on Octisalate must include separate UVA filters such as avobenzone, Tinosorb, or zinc oxide for broad-spectrum protection.

Why do the legal limits differ so much?

Caps in this data are 5% in the EU, Korea, and US versus 10% in Japan, where it is regulated as a quasi-drug active. These differences reflect each market's UV-filter framework, not the ingredient itself.

Products in catalogue

Containing Ethylhexyl Salicylate