Homosalate
A common UVB filter under fresh regulatory scrutiny — the EU has cut its limit over endocrine concerns, and it's a salicylate
INCIHomosalate
- Category
- Sunscreen / UV Filter
- Risk level
- medium
- What it covers
- UVB only (~295–315 nm) — no UVA protection, so always paired with a UVA filter
- FDA status
- Absorption above the threshold that triggers more testing; FDA considering lowering the US cap from 15% to 10%
- EU status
- Restricted to 7.34% (down from 10%) over endocrine concerns (SCCS, 2021)
- Salicylate
- A salicylate ester — patch test if you have severe aspirin/salicylate allergy
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Commonly found in
Possible reactions
- Rare contact dermatitis
- Can sting near the eyes
- Possible reaction in salicylate/aspirin-sensitive people
- Systemic absorption (under safety review, not proven harmful)
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What is homosalate?
Homosalate is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB (≈295–315 nm) — the wavelengths behind sunburn and most skin cancer. It's a salicylate ester (chemically related to salicylic acid and aspirin), and it's been a workhorse UVB filter in American-style sunscreens since the 1960s. It does not protect against UVA, so it's always combined with a UVA filter like avobenzone. Being oil-soluble and film-forming, it's water-resistant and cosmetically elegant (no white cast).
What makes homosalate worth a closer look isn't allergy — contact dermatitis is rare — but recent regulatory scrutiny.
Why it's under review
- FDA absorption. A 2019–2020 FDA study found homosalate is absorbed into the bloodstream above the threshold at which the agency requires additional safety testing. As with other chemical filters, that's a "need more data" flag, not proof of harm — and the FDA has not told people to stop using sunscreen. The FDA is weighing lowering the US cap from 15% to 10%.
- EU restriction. The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded (2021) that homosalate is safe only up to 7.34% (down from 10%), citing endocrine-disruption concerns at higher levels.
- Salicylate family. Severe aspirin/salicylate allergy → patch test.
The honest summary: it remains approved and is used safely within limits, especially as one filter among several. If you'd rather avoid the uncertainty — or you use sunscreen heavily every day — mineral or newer-filter options exist.
How to use it well
- Confirm a UVA filter is present (avobenzone or Tinosorb) — homosalate alone is UVB-only.
- Don't pile on extra salicylates (e.g. a salicylic-acid product) if you're sensitive.
- Reapply every 2–3 hours, apply generously.
- Prefer alternatives if pregnant, choosing for children, or salicylate-allergic.
Alternatives
- Broader, better-reviewed filters (EU/Asia): Tinosorb S, Uvinul A Plus.
- Pregnancy / children / sensitive skin: mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide).
- Salicylate allergy: mineral or Tinosorb-based formulas (avoid homosalate and octisalate).
The bottom line
Homosalate is an effective, elegant UVB filter that's having a regulatory moment — absorbed more than once assumed, EU-capped at 7.34%, and a salicylate. None of that means "stop wearing sunscreen"; it means that if you use SPF heavily, are pregnant, or are salicylate-sensitive, a mineral or newer-filter sunscreen is a reasonable swap. Always make sure a UVA filter rides alongside it.
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References & further reading
- Sunscreen active absorption (FDA study, JAMA 2020) JAMA / FDA
- SCCS opinion on homosalate (7.34% limit) European Commission (SCCS)
- Sunscreen UV filters — overview DermNet