[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":301},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-homosalate":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":255,"commonProducts":256,"description":262,"extension":263,"icon":264,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":265,"isCommonIrritant":266,"keyFacts":267,"localNames":277,"meta":279,"navigation":280,"path":281,"relatedArticles":282,"seo":286,"severity":287,"slug":288,"stem":289,"subtitle":290,"symptoms":291,"synonyms":297,"__hash__":300},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/homosalate.md","Homosalate",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":246},"minimark",[9,14,21,28,32,39,54,57,85,89,120,127,130,168,179,183,216,220],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-homosalate","What is Homosalate?",[15,16,17,20],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," is a chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation (295–315 nm) — the wavelengths that cause sunburn and most skin cancer. It's a salicylate ester, meaning it's chemically related to salicylic acid (and aspirin). Homosalate has been used in American sunscreens since the 1960s and is one of the most common UVB filters in FDA-approved formulas. It doesn't protect against UVA, so it's always combined with avobenzone or another UVA filter.",[15,22,23,24,27],{},"Homosalate is ",[18,25,26],{},"oil-soluble and film-forming",", giving it good water resistance, and it's cosmetically elegant — it spreads easily and leaves no white cast. For these reasons, it's a workhorse ingredient in mass-market American and Indian sunscreens.",[10,29,31],{"id":30},"why-is-homosalate-under-review","Why is Homosalate under review?",[15,33,34,35,38],{},"Homosalate's safety has been re-examined in recent years. In 2019, an ",[18,36,37],{},"FDA study found that homosalate is absorbed through skin into the bloodstream at levels higher than the agency's safety threshold"," for accepting a chemical as generally safe without further testing. This does not mean homosalate is proven harmful — it means more safety data is needed. The FDA has asked manufacturers to provide the data and is considering reducing the maximum allowed concentration from 15% to 10% in the US.",[15,40,41,42,45,46,49,50,53],{},"The ",[18,43,44],{},"European Union's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety"," reviewed homosalate and concluded in 2021 that it is safe only up to ",[18,47,48],{},"7.34%"," (down from the previous 10%), citing concerns about ",[18,51,52],{},"endocrine disruption"," at higher concentrations.",[15,55,56],{},"What this means for users:",[58,59,60,67,73,79],"ul",{},[61,62,63,66],"li",{},[18,64,65],{},"Most sunscreens use safe concentrations"," — Well-formulated sunscreens use homosalate alongside other filters rather than as the main ingredient.",[61,68,69,72],{},[18,70,71],{},"Salicylate allergy"," — Users with aspirin or salicylate sensitivity should patch test.",[61,74,75,78],{},[18,76,77],{},"Pregnancy"," — Evidence on homosalate in pregnancy is limited; dermatologists often recommend mineral sunscreens to pregnant users for peace of mind.",[61,80,81,84],{},[18,82,83],{},"Not banned"," — Homosalate remains approved in the US, EU, and India.",[10,86,88],{"id":87},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,90,91,92,95,96,95,99,95,102,95,105,108,109,95,112,115,116,119],{},"Homosalate is common in Indian chemical sunscreens, especially those imported from or modeled on American formulas. Popular products containing homosalate: ",[18,93,94],{},"Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 50+",", ",[18,97,98],{},"Aveeno Protect + Hydrate",[18,100,101],{},"Cetaphil Sun SPF 50",[18,103,104],{},"Lakmé Sun Expert Ultra Matte",[18,106,107],{},"Lotus Herbals Safe Sun",", and some versions of ",[18,110,111],{},"Lakmé 9to5",[18,113,114],{},"Himalaya Protective Sunscreen",", and ",[18,117,118],{},"VLCC Matte Look Sunscreen",".",[15,121,122,123,126],{},"Indian dermatology clinics increasingly prescribe ",[18,124,125],{},"European-formula sunscreens"," (which avoid homosalate in favor of Tinosorb S and Uvinul filters) for users concerned about systemic absorption.",[15,128,129],{},"Indian-context considerations:",[58,131,132,138,144,150,156,162],{},[61,133,134,137],{},[18,135,136],{},"High daily use"," — Because Indian users need sunscreen every single day of the year, cumulative absorption is a reasonable concern.",[61,139,140,143],{},[18,141,142],{},"Young skin and children"," — Pediatric dermatologists prefer mineral sunscreens for children, avoiding homosalate.",[61,145,146,149],{},[18,147,148],{},"Pregnancy and breastfeeding"," — Mineral sunscreens are the safer default.",[61,151,152,155],{},[18,153,154],{},"Melasma-prone users"," — Protection against UVA is what matters most for melasma; homosalate alone doesn't help, but formulas combining homosalate with avobenzone do.",[61,157,158,161],{},[18,159,160],{},"Budget sunscreens"," — Many sub-₹500 Indian sunscreens use homosalate as a cheap UVB booster; users seeking modern filters should look at European-formula premium options.",[61,163,164,167],{},[18,165,166],{},"Salicylate-sensitive users"," — Avoid homosalate if you react to aspirin or topical salicylic acid.",[15,169,170,171,174,175,178],{},"Users who want to avoid homosalate can choose ",[18,172,173],{},"pure mineral sunscreens"," (Re'equil, Minimalist Mineral, The Derma Co Zinc) or ",[18,176,177],{},"European chemical formulas"," (La Roche-Posay Anthelios) available in India.",[10,180,182],{"id":181},"how-to-use-homosalate-well","How to use Homosalate well",[184,185,186,192,198,204,210],"ol",{},[61,187,188,191],{},[18,189,190],{},"Check for UVA protection"," — Homosalate alone only blocks UVB; always pair with avobenzone or Tinosorb.",[61,193,194,197],{},[18,195,196],{},"Don't layer unnecessary salicylates"," — Combining homosalate with salicylic acid may increase irritation for sensitive skin.",[61,199,200,203],{},[18,201,202],{},"Reapply every 2–3 hours"," — Standard sunscreen practice.",[61,205,206,209],{},[18,207,208],{},"Apply generously"," — Two finger-lengths for face and neck.",[61,211,212,215],{},[18,213,214],{},"Consider alternatives if you want to minimize absorption"," — Mineral or European filter formulas are options.",[10,217,219],{"id":218},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[58,221,222,228,234,240],{},[61,223,224,227],{},[18,225,226],{},"For broader UV coverage",": Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus (European filters) cover more of the spectrum with better safety data.",[61,229,230,233],{},[18,231,232],{},"For pregnancy",": Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.",[61,235,236,239],{},[18,237,238],{},"For children",": Pediatric mineral sunscreens avoid homosalate entirely.",[61,241,242,245],{},[18,243,244],{},"For sensitive or salicylate-allergic skin",": Mineral sunscreens or Tinosorb-based European formulas.",{"title":247,"searchDepth":248,"depth":248,"links":249},"",2,[250,251,252,253,254],{"id":12,"depth":248,"text":13},{"id":30,"depth":248,"text":31},{"id":87,"depth":248,"text":88},{"id":181,"depth":248,"text":182},{"id":218,"depth":248,"text":219},"uv_filter",[257,258,259,260,261],"Daily face sunscreen","Body sunscreen","Water-resistant sunscreen","Tinted sunscreen","Anti-aging SPF moisturizer","A chemical UVB filter widely used in US and Indian sunscreens, currently undergoing FDA reassessment for potential systemic absorption concerns.","md","🌤️",null,false,[268,271,274],{"label":269,"value":270},"UVB filter","Homosalate absorbs UVB (295–315 nm) but does not protect against UVA",{"label":272,"value":273},"FDA reassessment","In 2019, the FDA requested more safety data for homosalate due to systemic absorption findings",{"label":275,"value":276},"Common concentration","Up to 10% in US sunscreens (FDA is considering lowering this); up to 10% in India",[278],"होमोसेलेट",{},true,"/learn/ingredients/homosalate",[283],{"slug":284,"title":285},"/learn/reading-cosmetic-labels","How to Read Cosmetic Labels",{"title":5,"description":262},"medium","homosalate","learn/ingredients/homosalate","A common UVB filter in American sunscreens — effective but under FDA safety review",[292,293,294,295,296],"Rare contact dermatitis","Possible hormonal activity (under review)","Systemic absorption higher than previously thought","Can sting near the eyes","Salicylate allergy caution",[298,299],"Homomenthyl Salicylate","3,3,5-Trimethylcyclohexyl Salicylate","55fPQ66mS9hQC1A9b80xiCdKg01M9jfSRGuzmpkcaOI",1777530817854]