Ingredient glossary
Octinoxate
On your shelf ✓What Octinoxate does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
In short: Octinoxate delivers uvb protection, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is moderate. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Uvb protection
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Moderate
The molecule
The Glow take
Only as good as the sunscreen it lives in.
As a single filter, Octinoxate only matters as part of a finished sunscreen you actually reapply. The best SPF is the one that feels good enough to wear every morning.
— Maya
What it does
- uvb protection
moderate evidenceRegulatory and environmental discussions highlight octinoxate as effective but increasingly restricted in some regions due to ecological concerns.
On a label: usually effective at 4-7.5%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- normal
- oily
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- reef concern
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: reef concern.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Octinoxate, answered
Is Octinoxate safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Octinoxate is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Octinoxate?
Approach Octinoxate with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive and reef concern. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Octinoxate actually works?
Octinoxate tends to do its job in the 4 to 7.5% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Octinoxate as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.
Compare Octinoxate with
Can you mix Octinoxate with
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