Homosalate

What is it?

A chemical UVB filter used in sunscreens, among the most widely used organic UV filters worldwide.

What does it do?

According to PubMed, a 2024 human toxicokinetic study had four volunteers apply a sunscreen containing 10% homosalate to their whole body under regular-use conditions and found systemic absorption occurred, with elimination half-times around 24 hours; calculated margins of safety for a single whole-body application ranged from 11 to 92 depending on the exposure-assessment approach used (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-024-03704-7). A 2025 review grouping homosalate with other Category III "non-GRASE" UV filters (alongside avobenzone, octocrylene, oxybenzone, octinoxate and octisalate) discusses ongoing concerns about photodegradation and systemic absorption across this class, and surveys formulation strategies such as encapsulation aimed at reducing these risks while keeping UV protection effective (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125790).

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