The extendedconjugation of theacrylate portion of the molecule absorbs UVB and short-wave UVA (ultraviolet) rays with wavelengths from 280 to 320 nm,[1] protecting the skin fromdirect DNA damage. The ethylhexanol portion is afatty alcohol, addingemollient and oil-like (water resistant) properties.
Octocrylene can penetrate into the skin where it acts as aphotosensitizer, resulting in an increased production of free radicals under illumination.[2] It may also pass through the skin, into the blood stream, eventually being metabolized and excreted in urine in form of its metabolites.[3][4] Octocrylene can convert tobenzophenone through a retro-aldol condensation.[5] The reaction occurs slowly over time, yielding significant concentration of benzophenone in all commercial cosmetics tested formulated with octocrylene.
In coral, octocrylene has been shown to accumulate in the form of fatty acid conjugates and trigger mitochondrial dysfunction.[6]
Palau has banned the sale and use of three reef-toxic UV filters including octocrylene in its Responsible Tourism Education Act of 2018.[7] TheUnited States Virgin Islands has also banned the use of sunscreens containing octocrylene, requiring that all visitors use "non-nano mineral sunscreen" containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.[8]
^Bury, Daniel; Belov, Vladimir N.; Qi, Yulin; Hayen, Heiko; Volmer, Dietrich A.; Brüning, Thomas; Koch, Holger M. (2018). "Determination of urinary metabolites of the emerging UV filter octocrylene by online-SPE-LC-MS/MS".Analytical Chemistry.90 (1):944–951.doi:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b03996.hdl:21.11116/0000-0000-3212-3.PMID29188988.
^"Sustainable Travel in USVI".United States Virgin Islands. Archived fromthe original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved17 February 2024.Avoid sunscreens that contain the "Toxic 3 Os" of oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene – they are prohibited in the United States Virgin Islands. Wear rashguards, hats and use only non-nano mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the only sunscreen ingredients deemed safe and effective by the FDA.
