Octinoxate

Category: topical

Aliases: Octyl methoxycinnamate, OMC, Parsol MCX

Pharmacological Mechanism

Cinnamate UVB absorber (280–320 nm). Combined with avobenzone for broad-spectrum coverage, though it can destabilise avobenzone → modern formulations add photo-stabilisers (octocrylene, Mexoryl). Environmental concerns drove Hawaii + Key West bans (coral bleaching).

Target Organ Systems

• integumentary

Interactions

• Avobenzone (caution): Octinoxate destabilises avobenzone on photoexposure — combinations need additional photo-stabilisers.

Pathways It Modulates

• Sunscreen + UV photoprotection (inhibitor) — UV-B absorber (270–328 nm peak ~310 nm); environmental + endocrine concerns

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 5355130
• Formula: C18H26O3
• Molecular weight: 290.4 g/mol
• InChIKey: YBGZDTIWKVFICR-JLHYYAGUSA-N
• SMILES: CCCCC(CC)COC(=O)/C=C/C1=CC=C(C=C1)OC