Ethylhexyl Salicylate
AKA “2-ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, Octisalate, 118-60-5, 2-Ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 2-ethylhexyl ester, Escalol, Salicylic Acid 2-Ethylhexyl Ester, Octisalato, NSC-46151, DTXSID7040734”
UV Filter
Ingredient Facts
Ethylhexyl salicylate
AKA: 2-ETHYLHEXYL SALICYLATE, Octisalate, 118-60-5, 2-Ethylhexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 2-ethylhexyl ester, Escalol, Salicylic Acid 2-Ethylhexyl Ester, Octisalato, NSC-46151, DTXSID7040734
UV Filter · Uv Absorber · EWG: 4
Synthetic
Sunscreen Filter
Chemical Exfoliant
Not Clean
Also known as Ethylhexyl Salicylate. Octyl salicylate is an oil soluble chemical sunscreen agent that absorbs UVB radiation. It does not protect against UVA. Octyl salicylate is used to augment the UVB protection in a sunscreen. Salicylates are weak UVB absorbers and they are generally used in combination with other UV filters. Octyl salicylate appears to have a good safety profile. It covers wavelength in the range 295-315 nm, peak at 307-310 nm. It is an ester of salicylic acid and 2-ethylhexanol. The salicylate portion of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet light to protect skin from the harmful effects of exposure to sunlight, while the ethylhexanol portion functions as an emollient.
Formula
C15H22O3
Mol. Weight
250.33
CAS #
118-60-5
Form
Liquid
State
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Light Stabilizer
Uv Absorber
Blocks or absorbs UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
Uv Filter
Blocks or absorbs UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
Shields from UV damage
Traditional Use
Created in the 20th century as a synthetic UV filter inspired by salicylic acid's properties. Designed to provide sun protection while maintaining cosmetic elegance in sunscreen formulations.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Sun Damage
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
5.0%
0%7%
Reg. Limit
FDA OTC limit (Sunscreen): 5%. 21 CFR 352.10
Regulatory Agencies
Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid, and Sodium Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its Salts, and Benzyl Benzoate
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid rescues multisystemic disease and perinatal lethality in a mouse model of mitochondrial disease.
Corral-Sarasa J, Martínez-Gálvez JM, González-García P, Wendling O, Jiménez-Sánchez L et al.
Cell reports, 2024
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
Benzoic acid and its derivatives as naturally occurring compounds in foods and as additives: Uses, exposure, and controversy.
Del Olmo A, Calzada J, Nuñez M
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 2017
4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Benzoic Acid
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Safety Assessment of Benzyl Alcohol, Benzoic Acid and its...
Wilbur Johnson, Wilma F Bergfeld, Donald V Belsito, Ronald A Hill, Curtis D Klaassen, Daniel C Liebler + 5 more
International journal of toxicology, 2017
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR