Ingredient guide · H

Homosalate

Homosalate is a clear, oily liquid commonly used in UK sunscreens and daily moisturisers with SPF. It works as a chemical (organic) UV filter that helps protect skin from UVB rays, which can cause burning and contribute to premature ageing. Shoppers will often find it paired with other filters for broad-spectrum protection in lightweight, non-greasy formulas.

Homosalate — Although used in its synthetic form in cosmetics, homosalate is chemically related to c… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare Homosalate functions as an oil-soluble UVB absorber. It is incorporated into emulsions, lotions and sprays where it converts harmful ultraviolet radiation into harmless heat, thereby helping to stabilise the overall SPF system and prevent the degradation of other UV filters within the product.

Key benefits

  • Offers effective UVB protection
  • Lightweight and non-greasy texture
  • Helps stabilise sunscreen formulations
  • Improves water resistance of SPF products
  • Allows for elegant, easy-to-apply sun protection
  • Compatible with many other cosmetic filters

Best for

all skin types, oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin needing lightweight SPF

Where it comes from

Although used in its synthetic form in cosmetics, homosalate is chemically related to compounds naturally occurring in the bark, leaves and flowers of certain plants in the Salicaceae family.

Products with Homosalate

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Homosalate than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

All ingredients