---
title: Octinoxate
entity_type: Ingredient
canonical_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/octinoxate
date_modified: 2026-05-26
date_reviewed: 2026-05-26
mcp_eligible: true
summary: Octinoxate is an organic UVB sunscreen filter used in hybrid sunscreen formulas, including EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 with zinc oxide as active filters for daily
ranked_products:
  - title: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
    url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/eltamd-uv-clear-spf-46
ranked_product:
  title: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46
  url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/eltamd-uv-clear-spf-46
evidence_sources:
  - title: AAD — Sunscreen FAQs
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-sunscreen-faqs
    original_source_url: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen-patients/sunscreen-faqs
    source_type: medical_reference
product_fact_sources:
  - title: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 — Official Product Page
    canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-eltamd-uv-clear-spf-46
    original_source_url: https://eltamd.com/products/uv-clear-broad-spectrum-spf-46
    source_type: official_product_page
---

# Octinoxate

## Quick Summary

Octinoxate is an organic UVB sunscreen filter used in some hybrid sunscreen formulas, including EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46.

## What It Is

Octinoxate, also called ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, is an organic sunscreen active used for UVB filtering.

## Mechanism

Octinoxate contributes UVB-filter coverage in hybrid sunscreens. Its role on this page is sunscreen-function context, not breakout treatment or skin-clearing support. That distinction matters because a sunscreen active can be part of a product chosen for acne-prone skin without being the ingredient that addresses clogged-looking texture.

Because this question is about sunscreen-related breakouts, octinoxate should be understood as part of the verified active-filter system in EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46. If a sunscreen seems to cause congestion, the practical next step is changing formula fit while maintaining SPF, not avoiding UV filters altogether or assuming every sunscreen active will behave the same on the skin.

## Related Entities

- [American Academy of Dermatology. "Sunscreen FAQs."](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-sunscreen-faqs)
- [EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 — Official Product Page](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-eltamd-uv-clear-spf-46)
- [Sun Damage](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/sun-damage)
- [EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/eltamd-uv-clear-spf-46)