At a glance
| Chemical family | UV filter — cinnamate derivative (ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate / octyl methoxycinnamate) |
| CAS number | 5466-77-3 |
| Classification | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable as to carcinogenicity). Estrogenic and anti-thyroid activity demonstrated in multiple studies. EU SCCS under review. Hawaii/Palau banned for coral protection |
| Where you encounter it | Sunscreens (one of the most common UV filters globally); moisturisers with SPF; lip balm; foundation; transfers to pillowcases and bedding from skin application |
| Sleep micro-environment relevance | Transfers from skin to pillowcases and sheets when sunscreen or SPF moisturiser is applied before bed. Accumulates on bedding with repeated nightly use |
Regulatory & certification status
| European Union | Permitted in sunscreens up to 10% (Annex VI). SCCS initiated a review of octinoxate safety in 2020; opinion pending. Not banned but under active regulatory scrutiny for endocrine-disrupting properties. Regulatory |
| United States | FDA GRASE determination pending under the 2019 sunscreen proposed rule. Permitted up to 7.5% in OTC sunscreens. Hawaii Act 104 (2018) banned sale of sunscreens containing octinoxate (effective January 1, 2021). Regulatory |
| Canada | Health Canada permitted up to 7.5% in sunscreens. No ban. Regulatory |
| International | IARC Group 3 (not classifiable). Palau banned octinoxate sunscreens (2020). US Virgin Islands banned (2020). Thailand and Mexico restricting in marine parks. Regulatory |
What it is
Octinoxate (EHMC) is a cinnamate-derivative UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation (280-320 nm). It has been used in sunscreens since the 1970s and is one of the most common UV filters in cosmetic products globally. IARC evaluated it as Group 3. The key concerns are endocrine disruption and environmental toxicity. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown estrogenic activity (estrogen receptor binding), anti-androgenic effects, and interference with thyroid hormone signalling. EHMC is also photounstable — it degrades under UV exposure and can form photoproducts with unknown toxicity profiles. Hawaii became the first US state to ban octinoxate in sunscreens (effective 2021), followed by Palau and the US Virgin Islands, citing coral reef bleaching and toxicity to marine larvae.
Where it shows up in bedding
Octinoxate enters the bedroom through a direct transfer pathway: people apply sunscreen or SPF-containing moisturiser to their face and body during the day or before outdoor activities, and residual product transfers to pillowcases and sheets during sleep. Studies have detected UV filters including octinoxate on textile surfaces after skin contact. The transfer is especially significant for people who apply sunscreen in the evening for next-day protection, or who do not wash their face before bed after daytime sunscreen use. Repeated nightly transfer leads to accumulation on pillowcases between washes. Washing pillowcases regularly and washing the face before bed are the most effective ways to reduce this exposure.
Citations
- Seidlová-Wuttke, D. et al. (2006). Effects of octyl-methoxycinnamate on the estrogen receptor and uterine weight in ovariectomized rats. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 214(1): 1-7. Source Peer-reviewed
- FDA (2019). Proposed Rule: Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use. Source Regulatory
- Downs, C.A. et al. (2016). Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70(2): 265-288. Source Peer-reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Does octinoxate on my pillowcase affect my health?
The trace amounts of octinoxate that transfer from skin to a pillowcase during sleep are well below toxicological concern levels for acute effects. However, octinoxate has demonstrated estrogenic activity in laboratory studies, and the significance of chronic low-level dermal exposure from contaminated bedding is not well studied. Washing your face before bed and laundering pillowcases regularly are simple ways to reduce residue.
Why was octinoxate banned in Hawaii?
Hawaii Act 104 (2018, effective 2021) banned the sale of sunscreens containing octinoxate and oxybenzone based on evidence of coral reef toxicity. Studies showed that these UV filters can cause coral bleaching and are toxic to coral larvae at concentrations found in coastal waters near popular swimming and snorkelling sites. The ban is an environmental protection measure, not a human health prohibition.
Related compounds
Embr is a sleep environment company researching and addressing the chemistry of the bedroom. Research and product development in progress.
Last reviewed 2026-07-08. If you find a factual error, contact us.