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Ingredient · INCI reference

Octocrylene

a.k.a. Octocrylene

CAS 6197-30-4

Octocrylene is an older organic filter covering UVA2 and UVB that is photostable. It is approved up to 10% across the EU, Japan, Korea, and the US, making it one of the few globally cleared filters. Available safety data shows EWG 3 with no endocrine or reef-toxicity flags.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. Gen · old organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVA2 · UVB
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not covered
02 Regional approval · max %
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 10% South Korea: Approved · max 10% EU ✓ 10% Europe: Approved · max 10% US ✓ 10% United States: Approved · max 10%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
3
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

Why is Octocrylene used so often?

It is approved at 10% across all four major markets in this data and is photostable, which makes it useful for stabilizing avobenzone and adding UVB plus short-wave UVA absorbance in multi-filter formulas.

Does Octocrylene cover UVA?

Partially. It covers UVA2 along with UVB, but does not reach into UVA1, so it is paired with avobenzone, Tinosorb, or mineral filters for long-wave UVA protection.

Is Octocrylene considered safe?

Available data shows EWG 3 with no endocrine disruption or reef-toxicity flags. It is a moderate-score organic filter widely cleared across the markets in this dataset.

Is it reef-safe?

In this data Octocrylene is not flagged as reef-toxic, unlike oxybenzone and octinoxate. Reef-specific local rules may still vary, so check destination regulations.

Products in catalogue

Containing Octocrylene