Ho
Homosalate
HomosalateSPF filter
A common UVB filter in US sunscreens. Lab studies raised hormone questions, so the EU now allows less of it than the US does.
What it does
It’s a chemical filter that absorbs UVB, the rays behind sunburn, and holds up in sunlight.
The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a UV filter (filters UV rays).European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗
The evidence, graded
expert consensusOxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate are organic UV filters with documented systemic absorption from sunscreen use. Pregnancy guidance is mixed; many derms recommend mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) during pregnancy as a precautionary default.Matta 2020 · JAMA ↗
expert consensusIn June 2021 the SCCS (SCCS/1622/20), considering the concerns about endocrine disruption, concluded that homosalate is not safe as a UV filter at up to 10%, and safe up to 0.5% in the final product. It regarded the evidence for endocrine disruption as inconclusive, and at best equivocal. In December 2021 (SCCS/1638/21) it was of the opinion that homosalate is safe as a UV filter at up to 7.34% in face cream and pump spray.SCCS 2021 · European Commission SCCS (final opinion, 24-25 June 2021) ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Pairs worth knowing
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