Oxybenzone
Benzophenone-3 · BP-3
What it is
A UVB + short-UVA organic UV filter (CAS 131-57-7) and one of the most widely used sunscreen actives historically. All three products analyzed in this batch have already removed it.
In this product: UVB/short-UVA filter (historical, not present in current product formulations reviewed).
Dose & route, what actually matters
Dermal absorption confirmed systemic at extraordinary levels. 2020 FDA-sponsored JAMA RCT: oxybenzone plasma concentrations 180–258 ng/mL on day 1 from single application, 360–516× the FDA's 0.5 ng/mL safety-study threshold.
EUROPEAN UNION
Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1176 limited BP-3 to 6% in facial products and 2.2% for body application, based on SCCS opinion SCCS/1625/21 noting endocrine disruption concerns.
UNITED STATES
Permitted at up to 6% under FDA OTC Sunscreen monograph. Hawaii Act 104 (SB 2571, effective January 1, 2021) and Key West (effective January 2021) banned oxybenzone/octinoxate sunscreens entirely.
The evidence
2020 FDA-sponsored JAMA RCT (Matta et al.): oxybenzone plasma concentrations 180–258 ng/mL after single application, 360–516× FDA's 0.5 ng/mL threshold. 'Geometric mean maximum plasma concentrations of all 6 active ingredients were greater than 0.5 ng/mL, and this threshold was surpassed on day 1 after a single application for all active ingredients.'
human · 2020 · source
Hawaii Act 104 (SB 2571) signed 2018, effective January 1, 2021: prohibits sale or distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone in Hawaii, citing coral reef harm and systemic absorption concerns.
regulatory · 2021 · source
California Prop 65: Not found listed on California Prop 65.
How to avoid it
Check the Drug Facts active ingredient panel, oxybenzone will be listed there, not buried in inactive ingredients. Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) avoid it entirely.
Editorial analysis of publicly available regulatory and peer-reviewed sources. Not medical advice. We name our evidence and link it, including when an ingredient is fine.