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OCTINOXATE


image source: PubChem
Health Concerns of the Ingredient:
Overall Hazard
 
 
Cancer
 
 
Developmental &
reproductive toxicity
 
 
Allergies & immunotoxicity
 
 
Use restrictions
 
 
Other HIGH concerns: Biochemical or cellular level changes, Endocrine disruption; Other MODERATE concerns: Persistence and bioaccumulation; Other LOW concerns: Enhanced skin absorption, Ecotoxicology, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

About OCTINOXATE: The most widely used sunscreen ingredient, known for its low potential to sensitize skin or act as a phototallergen. Estrogenic effects are noted in laboratory animals as well as disruption of thyroid ... read more

Function(s): UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER

Synoym(s): ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE, 2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL 4-METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL ESTER P-METHOXYCINNAMIC ACID; 2-ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE; 2-ETHYLHEXYL-4-METHOXYCINNAMATE; AI3-05710; CCRIS 6200; EINECS 226-775-7; ESCALOL; NEO HELIOPAN

Endocrine disruption

Concern Reference
Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidenceEuropean Commission on Endocrine Disruption
One or more studies show significant wildlife and the environment disruptionEuropean Commission on Endocrine Disruption
One or more studies show moderate endocrine disruptionCarbone S, Szwarcfarb B, Reynoso R, Ponzo OJ, Cardoso N, Ale E, Moguilevsky JA, Scacchi P
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruptionSzwarcfarb B, Carbone S, Reynoso R, Bollero G, Ponzo O, Moguilevsky J, Scacchi P
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruptionSeidlova-Wuttke D, Christoffel J, Rimoldi G, Jarry H, Wuttke W
Associated with endocrine disruption
Associated with endocrine disruptionKlammer H, Schlecht C, Wuttke W, Schmutzler C, Gotthardt I, Köhrle J, Jarry H
Associated with endocrine disruptionKlammer H, Schlecht C, Wuttke W et al

Biochemical or cellular level changes

Concern Reference
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.

Allergies/immunotoxicity

Concern Reference
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic or allergenic effectsRodriguez E, Valbuena MC, Rey M, Porras de Quintana L

Developmental/reproductive toxicity

Concern Reference
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses
One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high dosesSchneider S, Deckardt K, Hellwig J, Küttler K, Mellert W, Schulte S, van Ravenzwaay B
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high dosesAxelstada M, et al

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Concern Reference
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in peopleJanjua NR, Mogensen B, Andersson AM, Petersen JH, Henriksen M, Skakkebaek NE, et al
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in peopleSchlumpf M, Kypke K, Vokt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Concern Reference
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)Schneider S, Deckardt K, Hellwig J, Kuttler K, Mellert W, Schulte S, van Ravenzwaay B
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Ecotoxicology

Concern Reference
Wildlife and environmental toxicityM
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Enhanced skin absorption

Concern Reference
Penetration enhancerPont AR, Charron AR, Brand RM
Absorbs into the skin
Absorbs into the skinKlinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP

Data gaps

Concern Reference
594 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical see search results ->NLM PubMed

Data Sources

Axelstada M, et al. 2011. Effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to the UV-filter Octyl Methoxycinnamate (OMC) on the reproductive, auditory and neurological development of rat offspring. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology. 250(3): 278–290.
Carbone S, Szwarcfarb B, Reynoso R, Ponzo OJ, Cardoso N, Ale E, Moguilevsky JA, Scacchi P., In Vitro Effect of Octyl - Methoxycinnamate (OMC) on the Release of Gn-RH and Amino Acid Neurotransmitters by Hypothalamus of Adult Rats. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2010 Mar 2.
EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
EU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998.
European Commission. 2013. Cosing, the European Commission database with information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. Accessed on March 1, 2013 at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/ .
Hanson KM, Gratton E, Bardeen CJ. 2006. Sunscreen enhancement of UV-induced reactive oxygen species in the skin. Free Radic Biol Med 41(8): 1205-1212.
IFRA (International Fragrance Assocication). 2010. IFRA Fragrance Ingredient List based on 2008 Use Survey. Accessed online 01/04/2010: http://www.ifraorg.org/Home/News/Latest-News/page.aspx/66?xf_itemId=43&xf_selectionDatapartId=25
Janjua NR, Mogensen B, Andersson AM, Petersen JH, Henriksen M, Skakkebaek NE, et al. 2004. Systemic Absorption of the Sunscreens Benzophenone-3, Octyl-Methoxycinnamate, and 3-(4-Methyl-Benzylidene) Camphor after Whole-Body Topical Application and Reproductive Hormone Levels in Humans. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 123(1): 57-61.
Klammer H, Schlecht C, Wuttke W et al. "Effects of a 5-day treatment with the UV-filter octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) on the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid function in rats." Toxicology 2007; 238 (2-3):192-9.
Klammer H, Schlecht C, Wuttke W, Schmutzler C, Gotthardt I, Köhrle J, Jarry H. "Effects of a 5-day treatment with the UV-filter octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) on the function of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid function in rats." Toxicology. 2007 Sep 5;238(2-3):192-9.
Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP. Transdermal penetration of UV filters. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 21 (1):23-9.
M.E. Balmer, H.R. Buser, M.D. Muller, T. Poiger. 2004. Occurrence of the organic UV-filter compounds BP-3, 4-MBC, EHMC, and OC in wastewater, surface waters, and in fish from Swiss lakes, Agroscope, Swiss Federal Research Station for Horticulture, Plant Protection Chemistry, CH-8820W’’Adenswil, Switzerland.
NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
Pont AR, Charron AR, Brand RM. 2004. Active ingredients in sunscreens act as topical penetration enhancers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 195(3): 348-354.
Rodriguez E, Valbuena MC, Rey M, Porras de Quintana L. 2006. Causal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 22(4): 189-192.
Schlumpf M, Kypke K, Vokt C, Birchler M, Durrer S, Faass O, et al. 2008. Endocrine Active UV Filters: Developmental Toxicity and Exposure Through Breast Milk. Chimia 62: 1-7.
Schlumpf M, Schmid P, Durrer S, Conscience M, Maerkel K, Henseler M, et al. 2004. Endocrine activity and developmental toxicity of cosmetic UV filters--an update. Toxicology 205(1-2): 113-122.
Schneider S, Deckardt K, Hellwig J, Kuttler K, Mellert W, Schulte S, van Ravenzwaay B. "Octyl methoxycinnamate: two generation reproduction toxicity in Wistar rats by dietary administration." Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Jul;43(7):1083-92.
Schneider S, Deckardt K, Hellwig J, Küttler K, Mellert W, Schulte S, van Ravenzwaay B. "Octyl methoxycinnamate: two generation reproduction toxicity in Wistar rats by dietary administration." Food Chem Toxicol. 2005 Jul;43(7):1083-92.
Seidlova-Wuttke D, Christoffel J, Rimoldi G, Jarry H, Wuttke W. "Comparison of effects of estradiol with those of octylmethoxycinnamate and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor on fat tissue, lipids and pituitary hormones." Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2006 Jul 1;214(1):1-7.
Szwarcfarb B, Carbone S, Reynoso R, Bollero G, Ponzo O, Moguilevsky J, Scacchi P. "Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), an ultraviolet (UV) filter, alters LHRH and amino acid neurotransmitters release from hypothalamus of immature rats." Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2008 Feb;116(2):94-8.
{Allen, 1996}
{Gomez, 2005}
{Gupta, 1999; Potard, 2000; Benech-Kieffer, 2000}
{Inui, 2003}
{Klammer, 2005}
{Schneider, 2005}

About the ratings

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer