Photo‐contact allergy to octocrylene: a decreasing trend?

Octocrylene (CAS no. 6197-30-4, syn. 2-propenoic acid, 2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-, 2-ethylhexyl ester) is an ultraviolet (UV) B and short UVA wavelength photostable absorber belonging to the family of cinnamates. It was introduced in sunscreens and daily care cosmetic products ∼20 years ago, and its sensitizing potential has been extensively reviewed (1). To investigate the trend of photo-contact allergy to octocrylene, data of photopatch testing of the last 6 years were analysed.