Octisalate on your skin: a safety profile

What is octisalate?

Also known as: Ensulizole, 2-PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE-5-SULFONIC ACID, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, ensulizol.

CAS number

118-60-5

Molecular formula

C13H10N2O3S

Molecular weight

274.30 g/mol

SMILES

C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=NC3=C(N2)C=C(C=C3)S(=O)(=O)O

PubChem CID

33919

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Octisalate.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter octisalate

• Personal Care — sunscreen, moisturizer with SPF, lip balm SPF

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Octisalate:

• Tinosorb S
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Uvinul A Plus
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Zinc oxide
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions