Salicylate UV filters have protected skin for decades, and formulators keep returning to them for practical reasons: Homosalate and Octyl Salicylate are excellent oil-phase solvents for crystalline filters, they're photostable, and they carry long regulatory histories in major markets.
Homosalate absorbs in the UVB range and doubles as an emollient, improving spreadability. Octyl Salicylate (octisalate) is milder in absorbance but shines as a solubiliser — it keeps avobenzone and other crystalline filters dissolved and effective through the product's shelf life.
Quality matters more than the datasheet suggests. Odour, colour and impurity profile vary meaningfully between manufacturers, and in a leave-on product those differences reach the consumer's skin. Ask for cosmetic-grade specifications, stability data and — as with everything we make — the certificate of analysis before the purchase order.