- What it can be used for
- Adds scent, filters UV light (sunscreen), and protects the product from UV light (the functions the EU ingredient database, CosIng, lists for it; a product may use it for any of them)
- CAS number
- 118-56-9
Why it’s flagged
Listed as a chemical of concern by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
- “Homosalate”. Source: Campaign for Safe Cosmetics
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is an advocacy group. Its profiles explain why it considers these ingredients a concern.
What the research says
- 21 CFR 352.10 lists 16 permitted OTC sunscreen active ingredients, each with its own maximum concentration: PABA 15%, avobenzone 3%, cinoxate 3%, dioxybenzone 3%, homosalate 15%, menthyl anthranilate 5%, octocrylene 10%, octyl methoxycinnamate 7.5%, octyl salicylate 5%, oxybenzone 6%, padimate O 8%, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid 4%, sulisobenzone 10%, titanium dioxide 25%, trolamine salicylate 12%, and zinc oxide 25%. Strong evidence. 21 CFR 352.10 (2023 ed.)
- FDA's standard reference sunscreen for validating SPF testing laboratories is an 8-percent homosalate preparation with a defined mean SPF of 4.47 (standard deviation 1.279). Strong evidence. 21 CFR 352.70 (2023 ed.)
- Two sunscreen ingredients, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) and homosalate, blocked the male hormone receptor in human cells, at roughly the potency of the pesticide metabolite p,p'-DDE. Moderate evidence. Schlumpf 2004
Each finding shows its evidence grade. See every graded fact or how we grade.
What this page can’t tell you
These lists describe what a substance can do, its hazard. The risk from one product depends on how much is in it and how you use it, and the label doesn’t say how much.
Not being on a list doesn’t make an ingredient safe. It may never have been assessed.
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Flagged the same way
Official lists checked September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.