Baby Safety / Compounds / Octisalate

Is Octisalate safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Octisalate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is octisalate?

Also known as: Ensulizole, 2-PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE-5-SULFONIC ACID, Phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, ensulizol.

CAS number
118-60-5
Molecular formula
C13H10N2O3S
Molecular weight
274.30 g/mol
SMILES
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=NC3=C(N2)C=C(C=C3)S(=O)(=O)O
PubChem CID
33919

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Infants are more vulnerable to Octisalate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Octisalate.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EDC Assessment—Suspected endocrine disruptor

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter octisalate

  • Personal Care — sunscreen, moisturizer with SPF, lip balm SPF

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Octisalate:

  • Tinosorb S
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Uvinul A Plus
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Zinc oxide
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is octisalate safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Octisalate than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What products contain octisalate?

Octisalate appears in: sunscreen (Personal care); moisturizer with SPF (Personal care).

What should I do if my child is exposed to octisalate?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Octisalate in the baby app

Look up products containing octisalate, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (1)
  1. PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →