Octinoxate Safety Guide

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octinoxate aka 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate
 

What is Octinoxate?

Octinoxate, also known as 2-Ethylhexyl 4-Methoxycinnamate, is a cinnamate ester, a type of organic compound. It has UV-B absorption properties, making is a common ingredient in sunscreen and cosmetic products applied to the skin.

Octinoxate has the CAS Number 5466-77-3.

Notable Properties of Octinoxate

Under normal conditions, octinoxate is a thick liquid which can be clear or pale yellow in color.

What Makes Octinoxate Hazardous?

Octinoxate has been linked to photoallergic contact dermatitis in some people, with repeated exposure increasing the likelihood of the development of a reaction. The products of octinoxate breaking down when exposed to high heat of other reactive environments can also cause adverse human health reactions.

As an organic compound, octinoxate can combust in high heat and release toxic compounds, including but not limited to carbon monoxide.

There are also increasing environmental hazard concerns about octinoxate, particularly in tropical climates, where octinoxate, oxybenzone, and other related molecular compounds have been linked to coral bleaching.

Octinoxate Frequently Asked Questions

Is octinoxate safe for skin?

In the United Sates, the FDA has approved sunscreen products that contain octinoxate as safe for use. Some individuals are more sensitive to octinoxate and may develop a form of contact dermatitis after repeated use of octinoxate containing products.

Is octinoxate safe for the environment?

There are environmental concerns about octinoxate and other related UV blocking compounds, such as oxybenzone. In 2018, the Hawaii State Legislature passed Act 104 which prevents the sale and distribution of sunscreen containing either oxybenzone or octinoxate over concerns about coral reef health, as scientific evidence showed that these ingredients can cause death to young coral polyps and can ultimately contribute to the phenomenon of coral bleaching.

6 Steps for Safety

Step 1: Read the Warnings

When working with a product for the first time, always read all the safety documents first. This includes safety data sheets, which should be provided by the manufacturer or importer of the octinoxate-containing product. There may also be an OSHA chemical label or a Consumer Protection label on the packaging of the octinoxate product. These documents all contain important information on the hazards of the product and instructions on how to mitigate those hazards.

Note that different products which contain octinoxate can have different safety considerations depending on other ingredients and the relative concentrations of the ingredients. For example, a scented sunscreen which uses geraniol as a fragrance component may have additional respiratory irritation warnings.

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

Creating a safe workspace, sometimes referred to as engineering control, is a key component of working safely with any potentially hazardous substance.

Octinoxate is a liquid in its pure form, which means it can flow when spilled, as well as seep into surfaces. Therefore, it is important to have a spill kit available with absorbent material to soak up and capture any spilled octinoxate. Since octinoxate can be toxic to the environment, it is of particular importance that any spills are contained and are not released into waterways.

Step 3: Gather Your PPE

For handing concentrated octinoxate, the following PPE is recommended depending on the quantity being used and engineering controls in place.

  • Gloves
    • Basic disposable gloves, or other rubberized gloves, will prevent octinoxate from touching the skin on the hands and causing irritation.
  • Rubberized Apron
    • A rubberized apron, or another body covering that prevents octinoxate from soaking into clothing, is best to prevent skin exposure.
  • Eye Protection
    • Even though pure octinoxate is a thick liquid, stirring activities can still form liquid splashes. Safety goggles which form a protective seal around the eyes can be used to prevent octinoxate splashes from reaching the eyes.

Step 4: Clear Your Workspace

Having a clear workspace is important for safety as it can prevent accidents caused by tripping, as well as allowing you to easily spot any spills.

This is also a good time to ensure all engineering controls are functional. This includes checking that spills kits are properly stocked and ventilation systems are fully functional. Octinoxate is not considered flammable for hazard categorization purposes, but is still an organic compound that will burn. Therefore, having a fire extinguisher available is advisable in the workplace.

Step 5: Do The Work

If engineering controls and PPE are used properly, working with octinoxate can be done safely.

If work cannot be completed in one sitting, be sure to properly seal any octinoxate containers to prevent spills or accidental release when not in use.

Step 6: Clean Up

Octinoxate may leave residue from any drips or small spills. Clean up octinoxate with an absorbent material, such as paper towels, or a granular absorbent such as sawdust.

Be sure to dispose of any waste in accordance with local regulations.

Further Reading

The National Library of Medicine has a PubChem article on Octinoxate.


Check out the Safety Guide Series Hub for more safety guides.

Sources Cited

A Bill For An Act Relating to Water Pollution, Act 104, S.B. No. 2571, The Senate Twenty-Ninth Legislature, 2018, State of Hawaii (2018). https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2018/bills/GM1205_.pdf

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025). PubChem Annotation Record for , OCTINOXATE, Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB). Retrieved February 11, 2025 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/source/hsdb/7459.

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2025). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5355130, Octinoxate. Retrieved February 6, 2025 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Octinoxate.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (n.d.). 2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE. CAMEO Chemicals. Retrieved February 11, 2025, from https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/20378

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