CosmeticBet
UV filters

Oxybenzone

INCI: BENZOPHENONE-3 · also Oxybenzone, BP-3

The UV filter the EU cut back over hormone concerns.

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C14H12O3228.24 g/mol
oxygencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 4632

How common

All products0.30%
In sunscreens1%
In make-up products0.70%
In shower gels0.30%

44 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 657 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • A derivative of benzophenone (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone).

    2 sourcesHide
    Oxybenzone is an organic compound used in sunscreens. It is a derivative of benzophenone.[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    The substances 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone/Oxybenzone (CAS no 131-57-7), which has been assigned the name Benzophenone-3[2] EU law · 2022 · open source

Why it is in products

  • To absorb UVB and UVA II in sunscreens; in small amounts it also protects a product’s formula from light.

    2 sourcesHide
    Oxybenzone absorbs UVB and UVA II rays[1] PubChem (US National Library of Medicine) · open source
    the use of Benzophenone-3 up to 0,5 % in cosmetic products to protect the cosmetic formulation is safe for the consumer[2] EU law · 2022 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • Over possible hormone effects, EU scientists found 6% unsafe in body sunscreens and sprays, while safe at up to 6% in face and hand creams and lipsticks, and up to 2.2% in body products.

    Well established4 sourcesHide
    In light of concerns related to potential endocrine disrupting properties of Benzophenone-3 and Octocrylene[2] EU law · 2022 · open source
    Benzophenone-3 is not safe for the consumer when used as a UV filter up to the current maximum concentration of 6 % in sunscreen products, either in the form of body cream, sunscreen propellant spray or pump spray[2] EU law · 2022 · open source
    Benzophenone-3 is safe for the consumer when used as a UV filter up to a maximum concentration of 6 % in face cream, hand cream, and lipsticks[2] EU law · 2022 · open source
    up to a maximum concentration of 2,2 % in body creams, in propellant sprays and in pump sprays[2] EU law · 2022 · open source

  • It passes into the blood: in an FDA trial with maximal use, its blood levels reached about 170 to 210 ng/mL, far above the 0.5 ng/mL threshold for further 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
    For oxybenzone, the corresponding values were 209.6 ng/mL (66.8%) for spray 1, 194.9 ng/mL (52.4%) for spray 2, and 169.3 ng/mL (44.5%) for lotion[3] Study · 2019 · 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

  • Up to 6% in face, hand and lip products, 2.2% in body products and 0.5% in others; labels must say “Contains Benzophenone-3”.

    2 sourcesHide
    Benzophenone-3 131-57-7 205-031-5 a) Face products, hand products, and lip products, excluding propellant and pump spray products b) Body products, including propellant and pump spray products c) Other products a) 6 % b) 2,2 % c) 0,5 %[5] EU law · 2026 · open source
    For a) and b): Contains Benzophenone-3[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: Oxybenzone (CID 4632), record description PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)PubChem (US National Library of Medicine)
  2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1176 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the use of certain UV filters (benzophenone-3, octocrylene) Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2022EU law
  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.