Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)

What is benzophenone-3 and what is it used for?

Benzophenone-3 is an organic compound from the benzophenone family. It absorbs ultraviolet radiation, especially in the UVB and short-wave UVA range, and converts it into heat, helping to protect the skin against sunburn.

In some products, however, it is added at a very low level not to protect the skin but to protect the product itself from light. This helps the colour and scent of perfumes or coloured cosmetics in clear packaging last longer.

Which products contain it?

• Sunscreens, sun sprays and sun lotions
• Moisturisers, foundations and lip balms with SPF
• Perfumes in clear packaging and some hair care products (as a product protector)

On the label it appears as Benzophenone-3 or Oxybenzone. In recent years many manufacturers have removed this filter from their formulas, so it is not seen as often as it used to be.

Is it harmful? The scientific assessment

The main reason benzophenone-3 is debated is that part of it can be absorbed into the body when applied to the skin. Weak hormone-like (endocrine) effects have been observed in laboratory and animal studies, which is why the substance was placed on the EU's priority list for review of potential endocrine disruptors.

Following its assessment, the SCCS, the European Commission's independent scientific committee, found benzophenone-3 safe only below certain maximum levels. In line with this, the permitted level in the EU was lowered; an even stricter limit was set for body products (including sprays) than for face, hand and lip products, and a “Contains Benzophenone-3” warning on the label of these products became mandatory. Because Turkish cosmetics legislation is aligned with the EU, the same limits apply in Türkiye.

In the US, the FDA has asked manufacturers for additional data on the safety of many chemical filters, including benzophenone-3. This does not mean the substance has been proven harmful; it means the safety data are being required to meet today's standards. No serious hormonal effect has been shown in humans under real conditions of use; scientifically, the question is considered open.

Allergy and environmental impact

Benzophenone-3 is one of the leading filters that can cause photoallergic reactions, which occur in combination with sunlight. Redness, itching and eczema-like rashes usually appear on areas exposed to the sun.

In addition, because of its possible adverse effects on coral reefs, the sale of sunscreens containing benzophenone-3 has been restricted in some tourist areas. These restrictions relate more to marine ecosystems than to human health.

Who should be careful?

• Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Because of the uncertainty about absorption, you may want to choose mineral-filter products during this time; you can ask your doctor about anything that worries you.
• Babies and young children: Because their body surface is proportionally large, mineral-filter products made for children are often preferred.
• People who have had a rash from sunscreen before: If there is a history of photoallergy, it makes sense to avoid this filter.

What to do when you see it on a label

Protecting yourself from the sun is far more important than any possible risk from a filter; so putting down the product you have and not using sunscreen at all would not be the right choice. If you are looking for an alternative, you can look at products made with mineral filters such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, or with newer-generation chemical filters.