2-Ethylhexyl salicylate also known as octisalate or octyl salicylate, is an organic compound used as an ingredient in

sunscreen Sunscreen, also known as sunblock or sun cream, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that mainly absorbs, or to a much lesser extent reflects, some of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thus helps protect against sunburn and ...

s and cosmetics to absorb UVB ( ultraviolet) rays from the sun. It is an ester formed by the condensation of

salicylic acid Salicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOC6H4CO2H. A colorless, bitter-tasting solid, it is a precursor to and a metabolite of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is a plant hormone, and has been listed by the EPA Toxic Substance ...

with

2-ethylhexanol 2-Ethylhexanol (abbreviated 2-EH) is an organic compound with formula CHO. It is a branched, eight-carbon chiral alcohol (chemistry), alcohol. It is a colorless liquid that is poorly soluble in water but soluble in most organic solvents. It is prod ...

. It is a colorless oily liquid with a slight floral odor. The salicylate portion of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet light, protecting skin from the harmful effects of exposure to

sunlight Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. On Earth, sunlight is scattered and filtered through Earth's atmosphere, and is obvious as daylight when t ...

. The ethylhexanol portion is a

fatty alcohol Fatty alcohols (or long-chain alcohols) are usually high-molecular-weight, straight-chain primary alcohols, but can also range from as few as 4–6 carbons to as many as 22–26, derived from natural fats and oils. The precise chain length varies ...

, adding emollient and oil-like (water resistant) properties.

Safety

In 2020 the ECHA decided that a fish sexual development test of the chemical was necessary, because the compound may be an

endocrine disruptor Endocrine disruptors, sometimes also referred to as hormonally active agents, endocrine disrupting chemicals, or endocrine disrupting compounds are chemicals that can interfere with endocrine (or hormonal) systems. These disruptions can cause c ...

. The compound was identified in a court case brought by German chemical company

Symrise Symrise AG is a major producer of flavours and fragrances with sales of €3.154 billion in 2018. Major competitors include Döhler, Firmenich, Givaudan, International Flavors and Fragrances, and Takasago International. Symrise is a member of th ...

who claimed that the ingredient used in sunscreen did not require animal testing. Symrise lost the appeal against a European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) decision that requires the German manufacturer to test sunscreen ingredients on animals. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decision applies to two formerly approved ingredients used exclusively in sunscreens — UV filter

homosalate Homosalate is an organic compound used in some sunscreens. It is made by the Fischer–Speier esterification of salicylic acid and 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol, the latter being a hydrogenated derivative of isophorone. Contained in 45% of U.S. sun ...

and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate. In 2007 octyl salicylate and all other salicylates were found to have a good safety profile. It is often used to improve affinity and reduce photodegradation of other sunscreen ingredients (such as oxybenzone and avobenzone), and under 1% of the applied dose of octyl salicylate penetrates through the skin. Although more stable, octyl salicylate is a weak organic UVB absorber. Octyl salicylate does not produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to sunlight. However, it does have some minor sensitization potential; with some individuals experiencing minimal to mild skin irritation.

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Octyl Salicylate Salicylate esters Sunscreening agents 2-Ethylhexyl esters