For your skin
A gentle, well-tolerated UVB filter that mostly plays a supporting role: it boosts UVB coverage and, importantly, keeps the stronger filters dissolved so the sunscreen performs evenly. Low irritation risk makes it a common choice in facial and sensitive-skin formulas, always alongside a dedicated UVA filter.
Want the science? Keep reading ↓Mechanism of action
Salicylate UVB filter absorbing 300-310 nm, FDA-approved OTC at up to 5%. Like homosalate it is a mild absorber used chiefly as a co-filter, and it is valued for solubilising the crystalline filters avobenzone and oxybenzone so they stay evenly dispersed. It offers no UVA protection. It is one of the least sensitising organic filters and is very rarely a contact allergen.
Why we tier this moderate
2 cited papers across 1 country. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.
Cited research
Matta MK et al., Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial, JAMA 2020;323(3):256-267 — octisalate (ethylhexyl salicylate) systemic absorption measured under maximal use
FDA Proposed Rule, Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use, 84 FR 6204 (26 February 2019) — octisalate among the organic filters with GRASE status pending additional data
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.