Octocrylene

Octocrylene is an ingredient used in sunscreens for its ability to absorb UV rays, protecting the skin from sun damage. Octocrylene is a thick colorless ingredient; it is very chemically stable and can be used as an additive to cosmetics to preserve any natural chemical degradation that can occur when skincare products are exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.

Octocrylene protects the skin from the harmful effects of the sun and premature skin aging. It helps prevent the risk of skin cancer. This filter mainly absorbs UVB rays, and shorter UVA rays, which are responsible for aging but also for skin cancer.  Octocrylene remains stable and therefore effective during exposure to the sun. It stabilises avobenzone, a particularly effective filter against long UVA rays, enabling it to be used.  It enables sunscreen products to be water resistant.

Octocrylene is classed as a chemical sunscreen due to this ability to protect the skin from UV damage. Octocrylene is different from your physical based sunscreens such as; zinc or titanium dioxide which work to protect the skin by creating a physical barrier. Octocrylene is also thought to have skin-moisturizing effects because of its emollient properties. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has evaluated the safety of octocrylene in its use in sunscreen products and found it to be safe for concentrations up to 10%. Octocrylene is also considered safe for use in concentrations up to 10% under EU Cosmetic Regulation.