Trolamine Salicylate
Removed from the US OTC sunscreen monograph by an FDA final order in September 2026, as a sunscreen active.
Banned in
- Palau
Also excluded where only mineral sunscreen is allowed
- Maui County
- Hawaiʻi County
Where it’s restricted
Named in the law or guidance
| Location | Status | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Palau law text ↗ | In force | January 1, 2020 |
Also not allowed under mineral-only rules
Trolamine Salicylate isn’t named in these laws, but they allow only mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreens, so a product containing it is excluded anyway.
- Maui County (Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi) (in force since October 1, 2022)
- Hawaiʻi County (Big Island) (in force since December 1, 2022)
Why it’s regulated
FDA proposed in February 2019 that trolamine salicylate is not GRASE for sunscreen, citing the anticoagulant effects of salicylic acid and the risk of salicylate toxicity. On September 11, 2026, FDA published notice of final order OTC000008-1, which removes trolamine salicylate from the sunscreen monograph.
What the reef research says
No reef study of this ingredient was found in our review of primary sources. FDA's 2026 order states that a sunscreen containing it is not GRASE.
- FDA, Notice of availability: final order OTC000008-1, amending OTC Monograph M020 to remove PABA and trolamine salicylate (Federal Register, 2026-09-11, Doc. 2026-18551)
- FDA, Proposed rule: Sunscreen Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Federal Register, 2019-02-26, Doc. 2019-03019)
- FDA: Questions and answers on FDA's regulatory actions on over-the-counter sunscreen (content current as of 10 Sept 2026)
What to look for instead
Related ingredients: Octisalate, Homosalate, PABA (Aminobenzoic Acid)
Last reviewed October 14, 2026.