Benzophenone-3 — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile

Name: Is Benzophenone-3 Safe? Allergy Risk & Alternatives
Creator: SkinDetekt

INCI: BENZOPHENONE-3

Also known as: Oxybenzone, BP-3

🔴 High Risk

Key Facts

CAS Number: 131-57-7
Category: uv filter
Risk Level: high
Common Allergen: Yes
EU Status: Restricted
Max Concentration: 6% (EU), 6% (US)
Found In: sunscreen, moisturizer with SPF, lip balm with SPF

Is Benzophenone-3 safe in cosmetics?

Benzophenone-3 is rated high risk in cosmetic products. It is a known allergen that can cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals. Photoallergen — causes allergy when exposed to UV light. Also endocrine disruption concerns. This ingredient is restricted under EU cosmetic regulations. Safer alternatives include Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide. Commonly found in sunscreen, moisturizer with SPF, lip balm with SPF.

What is Benzophenone-3?

Chemical UV filter. Endocrine disruptor concerns. Banned in Hawaii and Palau for coral reef damage.

Allergy & Safety Information

Benzophenone-3 is classified as a high-risk ingredient. It is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis. It is restricted or regulated in the EU. Individuals with sensitive skin or a history of contact allergies should avoid products containing this ingredient. A patch test is recommended before first use of any product containing Benzophenone-3.

This ingredient is classified as high risk from an allergenicity perspective. It is a recognised cause of allergic contact dermatitis with a relatively high sensitisation rate in patch-tested populations. People with a history of skin reactions to cosmetics, or with conditions such as eczema or sensitive skin, should exercise particular caution.

Allergen Note: Photoallergen — causes allergy when exposed to UV light. Also endocrine disruption concerns.

About UV Filter / Sunscreen Agent Ingredients

UV filters absorb or reflect ultraviolet radiation to protect skin from UV-induced damage. They fall into two categories: chemical filters (which absorb UV and convert it to heat) and mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, which physically scatter UV). Both can cause reactions in sensitised individuals, though mineral filters have lower overall allergenicity.

Relevance for Benzophenone-3: The most allergenic chemical UV filters include oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), octocrylene, and avobenzone. If you react to chemical sunscreens, switching to pure mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide only) is usually the safest alternative.

How to Identify Benzophenone-3 in Products

Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Benzophenone-3, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.

Product types to prioritise checking: Sunscreen, Moisturizer with SPF, Lip balm with SPF. These product categories are the most common sources of Benzophenone-3 exposure based on formulation data.

Not sure if your products contain Benzophenone-3? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Benzophenone-3 and other allergens automatically.