Octinoxate is used in some lipsticks and other cosmetics for sun protection.
Octinoxate is a chemical compound found in many different types of cosmetics and personal care products. Manufacturers obtain this ingredient from petroleum products and then add it to makeup, lotions, and moisturizers. While octinoxate offers several benefits in terms of sun protection, it also has some potential health risks that are not well understood by the public. Despite its potential risks, this compound remains a widely used ingredient for adding sun protection to common hygiene and skin care products.
Octinoxate is found in most sunscreen products.
To make octinoxate, scientists mix sulfuric acid with methanol, a petroleum byproduct. When heat is applied to this mixture, the ingredients undergo a permanent chemical reaction, resulting in a compound that is insoluble in water. Known by the scientific name of ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, this compound is more commonly known as octinoxate.
Octinoxate is made from methanol and sulfuric acid.
This ingredient can be found in most sunscreens on the market, including lotions, creams, sticks, and sprays. It is also added to cosmetics, such as foundation or lipstick, where it helps protect the wearer from sun damage. This component is also used in many standard moisturizers, body care products, and cosmetics, where it often serves as the primary active ingredient in these products. It is also sometimes mixed with a similar compound known as oxybenzone to increase its effectiveness.
Sunscreen products containing octinoxate may reduce freckles.
When used in personal care and cosmetic products, octinoxate acts primarily as a sunscreen. It blocks both UVA and UVB rays, while offering much greater protection against the latter. By protecting the skin from sun damage, this ingredient helps prevent DNA changes that can contribute to skin cancer. It also reduces wrinkles and keeps skin looking younger and healthier. For some people, products containing sunscreen agents like octinoxate can also reduce dark spots, freckles, and other signs of sun damage and aging.
Despite its many advantages, octinoxate also has some risks. Some users may develop an allergy to this ingredient, which may prevent them from coming into contact with this compound. This ingredient is also a hormonal or endocrine disruptor, which means that it can negatively affect the health of the fetus. Like other petroleum-based sunscreens, this compound can build up in the body over time, which can lead to future health problems. Finally, as octinoxate is transported into the ocean or other bodies of water, it can pose a threat to wildlife in terms of pollution and endocrine disruption.