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Octocrylene

Octocrylene suppliers and sourcing guide

Octocrylene is a cinnamate-related UV filter, the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylic acid. It is made by condensing benzophenone with 2-ethylhexyl cyanoacetate, then purified. It is a clear, viscous, pale yellow oil that dissolves other filters such as avobenzone, so it is often bought as both a UV filter and an oil-phase solvent. In the U.S. it is an OTC sunscreen drug active.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate · octocrilene · CAS 6197-30-4
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of octocrylene

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • USP / drug-grade liquid

    Octocrylene made to the USP monograph for OTC sunscreen use, sold in drums or pails.

  • Low-benzophenone grades

    Grades sold with a tighter specification for residual benzophenone, which can be present from manufacture and can rise with age.

  • Filter premixes

    Octocrylene supplied pre-blended with avobenzone or other filters at a fixed ratio.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (GC or HPLC)
Octocrylene content against the USP or supplier specification.
Benzophenone content
Residual benzophenone by HPLC or GC; ask for the limit and the result on every lot.
Refractive index and specific gravity
Quick identity checks for an oil, compared with the specification.
Color and acid value
APHA or Gardner color and acid value; darker color or higher acid value suggests degradation.
Heavy metals
Lead and other metals by ICP-MS.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store octocrylene in closed, full containers at room temperature, away from light and heat. Re-seal partly used drums to limit air exposure. Shelf life and retest date come from the supplier, and aged material should be retested for assay and benzophenone before use.

Lots and expiry dates

Benzophenone content can differ between lots and suppliers and may increase over time, so record it with the assay for each lot. Use oldest lots first and keep certificates with drug GMP batch records.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 352.10 lists octocrylene up to 10 percent among OTC sunscreen active ingredients; FDA describes this 1999 final sunscreen monograph as stayed (not in effect).

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA says the CARES Act deemed final order for OTC sunscreens (OTC000006) considers sunscreens containing the 16 active ingredients of that 1999 monograph as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE).

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's 2021 proposed order (OTC000008) proposed that sunscreens containing octocrylene are not GRASE because additional data are needed; FDA says this is not a conclusion that the ingredient is unsafe and that the remaining proposals will be addressed in future orders.

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Primary Sunscreen Monograph lists octocrylene (octocrilene) as a UVA II and UVB filter at up to 10%.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Octocrylene suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking octocrylene suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell octocrylene? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of octocrylene can brands buy?

Common forms include uSP / drug-grade liquid, low-benzophenone grades and filter premixes. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for octocrylene include?

Expect assay (GC or HPLC), benzophenone content, refractive index and specific gravity, color and acid value and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should octocrylene be stored?

Store octocrylene in closed, full containers at room temperature, away from light and heat. Re-seal partly used drums to limit air exposure. Shelf life and retest date come from the supplier, and aged material should be retested for assay and benzophenone before use.

What is the regulatory status of octocrylene?

21 CFR 352.10 lists octocrylene up to 10 percent among OTC sunscreen active ingredients; FDA describes this 1999 final sunscreen monograph as stayed (not in effect). FDA says the CARES Act deemed final order for OTC sunscreens (OTC000006) considers sunscreens containing the 16 active ingredients of that 1999 monograph as generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE). FDA's 2021 proposed order (OTC000008) proposed that sunscreens containing octocrylene are not GRASE because additional data are needed; FDA says this is not a conclusion that the ingredient is unsafe and that the remaining proposals will be addressed in future orders. Health Canada's Primary Sunscreen Monograph lists octocrylene (octocrilene) as a UVA II and UVB filter at up to 10%.

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