Oh, the heatedmineral versus chemical sunscreendebate.
I honestly thought it was clickbait.
(I mean, I saw it on TikTok.)
Ahead, find our investigation.
What is butyloctyl salicylate & why is it in sunscreen?
“It does so by helping to solubilize and stabilize sunscreen active ingredients, as well as provide emollience.
That’s why some refer to it as an “SPF booster.”
It helps stabilize the sunscreen, improve its look and feel,andboost its UV-absorbing power.
“The bit that’s different doesn’t actually interact with UV at all,” she adds.
So why isn’t it considered an SPF active, you might ask?
Well, sunscreen actives must go through a very long and arduous process to become regulated by the FDA.
I highly suggest readingWong’s full post, which dives deeper into the ins and outs of sunscreen regulation.
Why do mineral sunscreens have it?
And here’s the thing: A lot of mineral sunscreens contain this chemical filter!
Is it safe?
Butyloctyl salicylate is generally regarded as safe.
The only thing to note is that this ingredient is a salicylate, just like octisalate.
Best sunscreens without butyloctyl salicylate
Let me be clear: Butyloctyl salicylate is not a red flag.
If your mineral sunscreen has it, that’s fine!
