Homosalate
Homomenthyl Salicylate · HMS
What it is
A UVB-absorbing organic UV filter (CAS 118-56-9) used in most conventional US sunscreens, typically at 9–15%.
In this product: UVB UV filter (sunscreen active).
Dose & route, what actually matters
Dermal absorption confirmed systemic. The 2020 FDA-sponsored JAMA RCT detected homosalate in plasma at 13.9–23.1 ng/mL after a single application day, all above the FDA's own 0.5 ng/mL threshold that triggers the requirement for additional safety studies.
EUROPEAN UNION
SCCS Opinion SCCS/1622/20 (June 2021, final): 'the SCCS has concluded that homosalate is not safe when used as a UV-filter in cosmetic products at concentrations of up to 10%.' SCCS-recommended maximum safe concentration: 0.5%. Formal EU Annex VI amendment pending; current permitted level in EU remains 10% until regulatory process completes.
UNITED STATES
FDA permits homosalate up to 15% under the OTC Sunscreen monograph. No FDA action has followed the SCCS scientific finding. The gap between SCCS-recommended max (0.5%) and US-permitted max (15%) is 30×.
The evidence
SCCS/1622/20 (2021): 'the SCCS has concluded that homosalate is not safe when used as a UV-filter in cosmetic products at concentrations of up to 10%.' SCCS-recommended maximum: 0.5%.
regulatory · 2021 · source
2020 FDA-sponsored JAMA RCT (Matta et al.): homosalate plasma concentrations 13.9–23.1 ng/mL on day 1 after single application, all exceeding FDA's 0.5 ng/mL safety-study threshold.
human · 2020 · source
California Prop 65: Not listed.
How to avoid it
Choose mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreens, which provide broad-spectrum UV protection without organic UV filters. Look for 'mineral only' or 'reef safe' labels, and verify Homosalate is absent from the active ingredient list.
Where it hides
Editorial analysis of publicly available regulatory and peer-reviewed sources. Not medical advice. We name our evidence and link it, including when an ingredient is fine.