The ingredient, explained

Homosalate

Homosalate has direct human research on systemic exposure after sunscreen application.

UV filterSkin conditioningUv absorber

Explore connections

Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, 3‚3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl ester

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

UV filter: Filters some UV radiation. The ingredient label does not establish a finished product's SPF or UVA protection.
Skin conditioning: A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
Uv absorber: Protects the formulation against UV light. This role is distinct from a skin-protecting UV filter.

Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human exposure research

All six filters exceeded the FDA plasma threshold used to decide whether additional safety studies could be waived.

What this does not tell us

Absorption does not itself establish harm or reduced benefit; authors explicitly state the results do not justify refraining from sunscreen. Formulation and intensive application limit generalization.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 31961417 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of supplied local candidates (6 candidate records), selective exact-name title/abstract screening, and targeted indexed primary-source searches. Not a systematic review or a claim of exhaustive coverage.