Oxybenzone, also known as benzophenone-3 or BP-3, is an organic compound. It belongs to a group of chemicals called benzophenones. It appears as pale-yellow crystals that easily dissolve in most organic solvents. It is commonly used in sunscreens, plastics, toys, furniture finishes, and other products to prevent damage from sunlight. In nature, it is found in many flowering plants, which are called angiosperms. The compound was first made in Germany by chemists König and Kostanecki in 1906.
Scientists are studying oxybenzone because of concerns about its effects on the environment and health. Because of these concerns, sunscreens with oxybenzone are not allowed to be sold in Hawaii, Palau, and Thailand.
Structure and electronic structure
Oxybenzone is a conjugated molecule, meaning its structure allows it to absorb light with less energy compared to many aromatic molecules. Similar to other related compounds, the hydroxyl group in oxybenzone forms hydrogen bonds with the ketone group. This bonding helps oxybenzone absorb light. However, at low temperatures, both phosphorescence and the triplet-triplet absorption spectrum can be observed. At 175 K, the triplet lifetime is 24 nanoseconds. The short lifetime is due to a rapid hydrogen transfer occurring between the oxygen in the C=O group and the hydroxyl group within the molecule.
Uses
Oxybenzone is used in plastics to help block harmful ultraviolet (UV) light and keep materials stable. It is added to sunscreens, hair sprays, and cosmetics with other benzophenones because they help protect against damage from sunlight. It is also used in nail polishes as a stabilizer, up to 1% concentration. Oxybenzone helps protect synthetic resins from UV damage. This substance can escape into food from packaging and is used in ink to help it dry faster. Although oxybenzone helps protect against UV light, it is controversial because it may harm hormones or cause allergic reactions. Because of these concerns, many countries now limit its use in sunscreens.
Oxybenzone helps block both UVB and short-wave UVA rays. As a photoprotective agent, it absorbs UV light between 270 and 350 nm, with the strongest absorption at 288 and 350 nm.
Because of health and environmental concerns, the percentage of sunscreens in the USA containing oxybenzone dropped from 60% in 2019 to 13% in 2023. Some companies now label their sunscreens as "oxybenzone free" because many people and scientists are concerned about benzophenones.
Safety
Oxybenzone rarely causes skin eruptions, but it has been linked to rare allergic reactions that occur after sun exposure. In a study involving 82 patients with a skin condition called photoallergic contact dermatitis, slightly more than one-fourth had allergic reactions to oxybenzone when exposed to sunlight. Evidence suggests oxybenzone can act as a substance that causes allergies on the skin. It is reported to be the most common allergen found in sunscreens.
In a 2008 study of people aged 6 and older, oxybenzone was found in 96.8% of urine samples. When sunscreen containing oxybenzone is applied to the skin, humans absorb between 0.4% and 8.7% of it, as shown by urine tests. This amount may increase with repeated use over time. Oxybenzone is less likely than other common UV filters to be trapped in the outer layer of the skin because it is less able to dissolve in fats. Instead, it is more likely to be absorbed and processed by the body.
When applied to the skin, UV filters like oxybenzone pass through the skin, are processed by the body, and are mostly removed through urine. Scientists studied how oxybenzone is changed in the body by giving it to rats through food or on their skin. They found three chemical changes in blood, urine, feces, and tissues: 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB), 2,2-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (DHMB), and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (THB). DHB forms when a specific part of oxybenzone’s structure is altered. THB forms when another part of oxybenzone gains a chemical group. DHMB forms when a different part of oxybenzone gains a chemical group.
A 2004 study measured oxybenzone and its chemical changes in human urine after applying sunscreen. Up to 1% of the oxybenzone applied was found in urine. The main chemical change detected was DHB, and very small amounts of THB were found. Tests on bacteria showed that DHB does not cause harmful genetic changes. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that while some topical drugs can enter the body through the skin, this does not automatically mean they are unsafe. Oxybenzone can also occur naturally in some products.
Environmental effects
Studies suggest a connection between oxybenzone exposure and the death of coral larvae, coral bleaching, and harm to genetic material in marine invertebrates. However, some studies have been criticized for not having control groups or for not reflecting real-world conditions. Despite these criticisms, oxybenzone-containing sunscreen has been banned in many areas, including Palau, Hawaii, nature reserves in Mexico, Bonaire, the Marshall Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, Thailand's marine natural parks, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Aruba.
Health and environmental regulation
In 2019, Aruba banned oxybenzone in sunscreens because of environmental concerns.
As of 2023, the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) limits oxybenzone in sunscreens to a maximum of 10%.
In 2019, Bonaire banned oxybenzone due to concerns about its harmful effects on coral larvae.
In 2012, Health Canada updated its rules to allow oxybenzone in cosmetics up to 6%.
In 2021, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety reviewed oxybenzone. Under EU Regulation 2022/1176, oxybenzone is allowed in sunscreens at limited amounts: up to 6% in face, hand, and lip products, and up to 2.2% in body products (with 0.5% reserved for formulation needs). However, in September 2025, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) classified benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) as an endocrine disruptor for humans and the environment. Stricter rules under the EU’s CLP regulation are expected to be proposed in 2026.
In 2001, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare set a limit of 5% for oxybenzone in cosmetics.
Nature reserves in Mexico have banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone.
In 2020, Palau passed a law that restricts the sale and use of sunscreens and skincare products containing oxybenzone and nine other chemicals.
In 2021, the U.S. FDA requested more safety data for oxybenzone and other UV filters. Because this data is not yet available, oxybenzone is classified as a Category III ingredient, meaning it is not considered safe and effective. However, it is still allowed in sunscreens until further studies are completed.
In 2021, Hawaii banned sunscreens with oxybenzone to protect coral reefs from harm, such as coral death, bleaching, and damage to marine life. Similar bans were also enacted in the U.S. Virgin Islands (2020) and the Northern Mariana Islands.
In 2020, Florida passed a law that prevents local governments from regulating over-the-counter cosmetics and drugs. This law canceled a planned ban on oxybenzone-containing sunscreens in Key West, which had been scheduled to take effect in 2021.
In Thailand, oxybenzone and other harmful sunscreen chemicals are banned in all marine national parks to protect coral reefs. The ban was based on evidence showing these chemicals harm coral larvae, reproduction, and cause reef bleaching. People who break this rule may be fined up to 100,000 baht (£2,100), though enforcement methods are not clearly defined.
A 2021 study by the Swedish Research Council found that oxybenzone in sunscreens may not be safe for children under two years old. These children lack the enzymes needed to process the chemical. However, Sweden has not implemented national bans or regulations based on this finding.