Octocrylene

Octocrylene is a synthetic organic UV filter that absorbs primarily UVB radiation (peak absorption at 303 nm) with some UVA2 protection. It's an oily liquid that serves a dual purpose in sunscreen formulations: providing photostability to other UV filters (particularly avobenzone) while also acting as an emollient to improve product texture and water resistance. Formulators favor it for its ability to solubilize crystalline UV filters and its excellent photostability, though recent research has raised concerns about its potential degradation to benzophenone over time in finished products.