Octyl Methoxycinnamate

* An active sunscreen ingredient

* Please see TIA's post of a related ingredient: Octinoxate

* Please read TIA’s article on Tinosorb: A Sunscreen that Might Actually Work

Functions:

Octyl Methoxycinnamate is an organic ester used in sunscreens (and lip balms) formed from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol (Source). It is a sun blocking agent that absorbs UVB rays, but not UVA rays. However, when it is exposed to sunlight, it is rendered less effective, although this reaction can be prevented by the addition of other ingredients (as seen in the formula of Tinsorb). It is also used to reduce to appearance of scars (SmartSkinCare.com).

Safety Measures/Side Effects:

According to the Cosmetics Database, which rates Octyl Methoxycinnamate as 70% safe, there are many concerns regarding its use, including: biochemical changes that cause mutation and cell death upon exposure to sunlight (which is likely when used as a sunscreen ingredient); immunotoxicity and photoallergic effects; reproductive toxicity that leads to estrogenic effects; organ system toxicity, especially in the liver; and enhanced skin absorption. It should be used with caution by pregnant women and children.

One study performed in 2000 raised safety concerns about Octyl Methoxycinnamate's toxicity, but was performed on mouse cells at concentrations lower than typical levels in sunscreens. "However, a more recent study concluded that Octyl Methoxycinnamate does not penetrate the outer skin in sufficient concentration to cause any significant toxicity to the underlying human keratinocytes. Estrogenic effects were noted in laboratory animals at concentrations close to those experienced by sunscreen users" (Wikipedia).

Recommended Products w/ Octylmethoxycinnamate:

Kose Seikisho Facial Cleansing Mousse, Shiseido Bio Performance Super Restoring Cream, Murad’s Oil Free SPF 15 Sunblock with Sheer Tint, Dermophisiologique Polivalente Hydraviso Face Cream SPF 8