CosmeticBet
UV filters

Avobenzone

INCI: BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE · also Avobenzone

A broad UV filter that light breaks down unless it is stabilised.

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C20H22O3310.40 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 51040

How common

All products3.2%
In sunscreens48%
In lip products9.9%
In face moisturisers5.7%

468 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 96 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • A dibenzoylmethane derivative that dissolves in oil; it absorbs most strongly at 357 nm, in the UVA range.

    3 sourcesHide
    Avobenzone is dibenzoyl methane derivative. It is oil soluble ingredient.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Avobenzone has an absorption maximum of 357 nm.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    blocks UVA I, UVA II, and UVB wavelengths[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Why it is in products

  • To filter UV over a wide range of wavelengths: it is in many broad-spectrum sunscreens.

    SourceHide
    Avobenzone has the ability to absorb ultraviolet light over wider range of wavelengths. It is included in many commercially available sunscreens which are used as wide spectrum sunscreens.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

What it does

  • Light breaks it down, so sunscreens add photostabilisers to keep it working longer. It is often paired with octocrylene.

    Good evidence2 sourcesHide
    Avobenzone is very sensitive to light, to increase its stability and duration of action, photostablizers are added in the sunscreen product.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    Octocrylene is also often combined with avobenzone[2] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Downsides and safety

  • It passes into the blood: in an FDA trial with maximal use, sunscreen filters including avobenzone reached blood levels above the threshold that calls for further safety studies. The FDA authors said this does not mean people should stop using sunscreen.

    Some evidence4 sourcesHide
    sunscreen active ingredients with systemic absorption greater than 0.5 ng/mL or with safety concerns should undergo nonclinical toxicology assessment[3] Study · 2019 · open source
    application of 4 commercially available sunscreens under maximal use conditions resulted in plasma concentrations that exceeded the threshold established by the FDA for potentially waiving some nonclinical toxicology studies for sunscreens[3] Study · 2019 · open source
    These results do not indicate that individuals should refrain from the use of sunscreen.[3] Study · 2019 · open source
    To determine whether the active ingredients (avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, and ecamsule)[3] Study · 2019 · open source

  • It can cause allergic or photoallergic skin reactions.

    Some evidenceSourceHide
    causes allergic or photoallergic contact dermatitis[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source

Where it works

SurfaceOuter layer(stratum corneum)Living layer(epidermis)Dermis

On the skin, in the layer of sunscreen, where filters protect it from UV rays.

SourceHide
In the case of sunscreen, active ingredients are the ones that are protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.[4] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Rules

European Union

  • As a UV filter up to 5%.

    SourceHide
    1-(4-tert-Butylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione/Avobenzone Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 70356-09-1 274-581-6 5 %[5] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • Used in US sunscreens, but in 2021 the FDA found too little data to call it safe and effective, and asked for more.

    SourceHide
    Because the public record did not currently contain sufficient data to support positive GRASE determinations for cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone or avobenzone, we proposed that these ingredients are not GRASE because they require additional data.[6] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Sources

  1. PubChem: Avobenzone (CID 51040), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. PubChem: Octocrylene (CID 22571), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  3. Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial Matta MK et al., JAMA, 2019Study
  4. Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun | FDA US Food and Drug Administration
  5. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law
  6. Questions and Answers: FDA’s regulatory actions on over-the-counter sunscreen | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.