Why We Support the Use of Butyloctyl Salicylate in Sunscreen

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in online panic about ingredients. Bold headlines and click-bait articles are designed to spark fear—it’s the only way some outlets can drive traffic and likes. But at Goodspread, we take a different approach. We rely on science, peer-reviewed research, and the guidance of trusted global regulatory bodies when we select what goes into our sunscreens.

What Is Butyloctyl Salicylate Used For in Sunscreens?

Butyloctyl salicylate is not a UV filter itself—it’s a functional booster that helps sunscreens perform better. It works by improving the spreadability of sunscreen on the skin, enhancing water resistance, and stabilizing other active ingredients. In other words, it makes sunscreens more effective, longer lasting, and more pleasant to use. Because of these properties, it has been a trusted supporting ingredient in many sunscreen formulations worldwide for decades.

A Proven Track Record of Safety

Butyloctyl salicylate has been used in sunscreen and personal care formulations for nearly 25 years. In that time, there have been no credible safety red flags raised by regulatory agencies. That’s a quarter century of use, across millions of applications, with a consistent record of safety.

Backed by the World’s Strictest Regulators

Europe—widely recognized as one of the most highly controlled consumer markets on the planet—permits the use of butyloctyl salicylate at concentrations of up to 5%. Australia, another leader in sun care regulations, has the same allowance. These markets have some of the toughest standards globally, and their continued approval speaks volumes about the ingredient’s safety profile.

Accepted by Leading Natural Retailers

Even Whole Foods, one of the most respected natural retailers in the United States, approves butyloctyl salicylate as part of its ingredient standards. Whole Foods has built its reputation on strict screening and consumer trust—so its inclusion of this ingredient further validates its safety and appropriateness in natural formulations.

Cutting Through the Noise

The reality is simple: what you often read online is not balanced science—it’s fear-driven click bait. At Goodspread, we know that safety and performance can’t be left to internet trends. We carefully evaluate every ingredient we use through the lens of established science, peer-reviewed research, and the opinions of multiple regulatory bodies across the globe.

Goodspread’s Commitment

Our commitment is clear: to provide sunscreens that are safe, effective, reef-friendly, and universally wearable. That means selecting ingredients not because they’re trendy, but because they’re tested, trusted, and approved by the world’s leading health and consumer safety authorities.

So the next time you see alarmist headlines, remember: science, not fear, is the foundation of our formulas.