OCTOCRYLENE

Sunscreen Agent; Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER  

SCORE

3

moderate hazard

 

71%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL ACRYLIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYLACRYLATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL-2-PROPENOATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 2-CYANO-3-PHENYLCINNAMATE; UV ABSORBER-3; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER 2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL ACRYLIC ACID; 2PROPENOIC ACID, 2CYANO3,3DIPHENYL, 2ETHYLHEXYL ESTER; OCTOCRILENE; OC; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL-2-ACRYLATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL-2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYLACRYLATE


Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

This ingredient:
noCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yes, moderateRestrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
noContamination concerns
noOther strong concerns for this ingredient:
Biochemical or cellular level changes
noOther moderate concerns for this ingredient:
Persistence and bioaccumulation
noLesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps
 
See products containing OCTOCRYLENE

About OCTOCRYLENE: Octocrylene may be used in combination with other UV absorbers to achieve higher SPF formulas. It produces oxygen radicals when exposed to UV light.

ingredient UV blocking strength

Sunscreens: What
common sunscreen
concentrations		 UV blocking strength

2.0%


2.4%


7.0%


8.0%


10.0%


OCTOCRYLENE has reported used in the following product types: sunscreen: SPF greater than 30 (175); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (79); facial moisturizer/treatment (57); sunscreen: moisturizer (56); anti-aging (26); baby sunscreen (23); tanning oil (15); sunless tanning (12); sunscreen: lip balm (11); lip balm (9)


Restrictions & warnings

type of concern product conditions reference
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)   Japan's Standards for Cosmetics

Biochemical or cellular level changes

type of concern product conditions reference
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.    Hanson KM, Gratton E, Bardeen CJ, 2006
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.    Allen, 1996

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people    Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al, 2008
show more

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)    RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6792
show more

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Wildlife and environmental toxicity    Buser H-R, Balmer ME, Schmid P, Kohler M, 2006
show more

Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel  
1,603 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->   PubMed

Enhanced skin absorption

type of concern product conditions reference
Absorbs into the skin    Hayden, 2005; Potard, 2000



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
Environment Canada Domestic Substance List2-PROPENOIC ACID, 2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL-, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected bioaccumulation.
Japan's Standards for Cosmetics2-CYANO-3,3-DIPHENYL PROP-2-ENOIC ACID 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER (OCTOCRYLENE)•Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)
Allen, 1996OCTOCRYLENEProduces damaging reactive oxygen species upon exposure to sunlight
Hayden, 2005; Potard, 2000OCTOCRYLENEAbsorbed through human skin in vitro at 0 to 0.25%
Hanson KM, Gratton E, Bardeen CJ, 2006OCTOCRYLENEWhen octocrylene penetrates into the skin, the level of reactive oxygen species increases above that produced naturally under UV illumination
Buser HR, Balmer ME, Schmid P, Kohler M, 2006OCTOCRYLENEFound to accumulate in fish living downstream of wastewater treatment plants
Buser H-R, Balmer ME, Schmid P, Kohler M, 2006OCTOCRYLENEAccumulation in fish in Swiss rivers downstream from Wastewater Treatment Plants.
Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al, 2008OCTOCRYLENE
RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6792OCTOCRYLENE• liver - Changes in liver weight (rat TDLo)
• blood - Changes in serum composition (eg., TP, bilirubin, cholesterol) (rat TDLo)
• liver - Liver function tests impaired (rat TDLo)

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
Environment Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
Japan's Standards for CosmeticsJapan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 2006. Standards for Cosmetics. Evaluation and Licensing Division. Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau.
Open scientific literature{Allen, 1996}
Open scientific literature{Hayden, 2005; Potard, 2000}
Open scientific literatureHanson KM, Gratton E, Bardeen CJ. 2006. Sunscreen enhancement of UV-induced reactive oxygen species in the skin. Free Radic Biol Med 41(8): 1205-1212.
Open scientific literatureBuser HR, Balmer ME, Schmid P, Kohler M. 2006. Occurrence of UV filters 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and octocrylene in fish from various swiss rivers with inputs from wastewater treatment plants. Environmental Science & Technology 40(5): 1427-1431.
Open scientific literatureBuser H-R, Balmer ME, Schmid P, Kohler M. 2006. Occurrence of UV Filters 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor andOctocrylene in Fish from Various Swiss Rivers with Inputs from Wastewater Treatment Plants. ES&T. 40:1427-1431.
Open scientific literatureSchlumpf M, Kypke K, Vökt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. 2008. Endocrine Active UV Filters: Developmental Toxicity and Exposure Through Breast Milk. Chimia 62: 1-7.
RTECS®- National Technical Information Service 6792RTECS®- National Technical Information Service. (Springfield, VA 22161) Formerly U.S. Clearinghouse for Scientific & Technical Information. OTS0556792

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.

Print page  Print this page

RELATED RESEARCH

Favorites basket

No items in basket.

Skin Deep User Tools BETA

Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.

SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP

We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.

Support EWG

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.

[Privacy policy]

White Arrow REPORT A PROBLEM

White Arrow SEE OPEN DATA CALLS

Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

 

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN

Find out more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.