Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
The question

Is Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) safe in chemical sunscreen?

AvoidChemical sunscreen

Chemical UV filter that penetrates the skin and bloodstream. Studies link it to hormone disruption and coral reef damage.

What the research flags

  • Detected in blood, urine, and breast milk (FDA 2019)
  • Endocrine disruption in animal studies
  • Coral reef bleaching — Hawaii and Palau banned it
  • Photoallergic reactions

Regulatory
Hawaii banned in sunscreen (2021) — coral reef damage

Other chemical sunscreen ingredients on file

Sources & references

  1. [1]
    Peer-reviewedPubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · ref 32053327
  2. [2]
    DatabaseIngredient database — the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals
  3. [3]
    RegulatoryUS federal agency — fda-advances-new-proposed-regulation-make-sure-sunscreens-are-safe-and-effective

Research disclaimer: Ratings reflect peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments available at the time of publication, not the dose or formulation of any specific chemical sunscreen product. This is not medical advice.