The US Bans Trolamine Salicylate in Sunscreen From September 2027 After the FDA Warned of Potential "Coma and Death"

NEWS FROM THE COUNCIL · 22 Oct 2026

EcoZinc shares this story from the Australian Sunscreen Council on the US FDA's ban on trolamine salicylate and PABA in sunscreen.

“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned two chemicals from US sunscreen, finding that "the risks associated with use of these active ingredients in sunscreen drug products outweigh their benefits" (FDA, 2026, p. 2). It found topical trolamine salicylate "is associated with potential serious adverse health effects due to its anticoagulant properties, which may increase the risk of bleeding" (FDA, 2026, p. 5). It found topical PABA "is associated with significant rates of allergic and photoallergic skin reactions, some of which are likely to be severe" (FDA, 2026, p. 4). The ban takes effect on 11 September 2027 (FDA, 2026, p. 6). Australian sunscreens can still contain up to 12% trolamine salicylate.”

“The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned two chemicals in sunscreen from September 2027. Its final order, issued on 11 September 2026, bans aminobenzoic acid, known as PABA, and trolamine salicylate "as sunscreen active ingredients". The order takes effect on 11 September 2027. …”
— Australian Sunscreen Council

Read the full story at the Australian Sunscreen Council →