What does Homosalate do for skin?

Homosalate is a uv filter used in K-beauty for UVB filter, Oil-soluble base for chemical SPFs. The UVB backbone of almost every American chemical sunscreen — and a filter the EU quietly deemed risky enough to restrict.

Is Homosalate safe during pregnancy?

There is limited safety data on Homosalate during pregnancy. Exercise caution and consult your healthcare provider before use.

What skin types is Homosalate best for?

Homosalate is particularly well-suited to normal, combination, oily skin. It may be less ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin.

What ingredients pair well with Homosalate?

Homosalate layers well with avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene. These combinations are common in K-beauty routines and have no known negative interactions.

How strong is the evidence for Homosalate?

We rate the clinical evidence for Homosalate at 3/5 — moderate. Up to 15% in the US, capped at 7.34% in the EU over endocrine-disruption concerns.

uv-filterWell-Known

Homosalate

Also known as: Homomenthyl salicylate, HMS

3/5— Moderate Evidence

Medically reviewed by ChokChok · Updated April 16, 2026

The UVB backbone of almost every American chemical sunscreen — and a filter the EU quietly deemed risky enough to restrict.

What It Does

UVB filterOil-soluble base for chemical SPFs

Deep Dive

Homosalate is a lipophilic UVB filter that dissolves easily in the oil phase of sunscreen, making it a go-to solvent and SPF booster in US formulations. The regulatory split is stark: the FDA still permits it at 15%, while the EU Scientific Committee flagged hormonal-disruption concerns and capped it at 7.34% in 2022, with some proposals to restrict it further. It also enhances skin penetration of other chemical filters, which is not what you want from a sunscreen. None of this means "panic" — a single summer of US sunscreen isn't a health crisis — but if you have the choice between a homosalate-heavy US stick and a Tinosorb-based EU/Asian sunscreen, the latter is the cleaner bet.