Is Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) safe in cosmetics?
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: restricted. US status: restricted. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)
Also known as: BRN 1913145, EINECS 205-031-5, NCI-C60957, NSC-7778, Oxibenzonum (+3 more)
INCI: BENZOPHENONE-3
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) (CAS 131-57-7) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as UV Filter, Photostabilizer. NOAEL 67.9 mg/kg bw/day (PDF-verified against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: restricted, max 6% (sunscreen); 0.5% (non-UV-filter use). Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data.
Function
UV Filter, Photostabilizer
Editorial assessment
MODERATE
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
restricted
EU Max Conc.
6% (sunscreen); 0.5% (non-UV-filter use)
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
FDA 2019/2021 proposed rules: NOT GRASE pending additional safety data on systemic absorption and endocrine effects. Permitted in cosmetics generally; restriction applies to OTC sunscreen monograph specifically.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone). NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 544 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Subchronic | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | =0.119 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =0.119 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =0.119 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =0.119 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =1.78 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =1.78 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =1.78 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =1.78 mg/kg bw/day | dermal | rat | dermal absorption | SCCS Opinion |
| NOAEL | =67.9 mg/kg bw/d | oral | - | NOAEL study | SCCS Opinion |
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Conditional — safe only within SCCS limits: 6% face/hand/lip safe; 0.5% formulation protectant safe; body/sprays max 2.2% or 1.7% when combined with 0.5% protectant
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
10 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LD50 | >16000 mg/kg | Rabbit | dermal | acute | ECHA |
| LD50 | >12800 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA |
| LD50 | =11600 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | ECHA |
| LD50 | >1600 mg/kg | Mouse | injection | - | ECHA |
| NOAEL | >10000 ppm | Rat | oral | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | >789 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =600 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =393 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =429 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =4925 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | subchronic | ECHA |
Sensitization AOP Dashboard
Adverse Outcome Pathway data across 5 assays (DPRA, KeratinoSens, hCLAT, LLNA, NESIL) aggregated from public sources.
DPRA Cys %
4.6%
DPRA Lys %
87.4%
KeratinoSens IC50
1102 µM
hCLAT CV75
59.9 µg/mL
LLNA EC3
50%
NESIL
12500 µg/cm²
LLNA: Weak (1B)
GHS: 1B
Source: LLNA: CosmEur database; DPRA: Cosmetics Europe; KS: Cosmetics Europe; hCLAT: Cosmetics Europe
Endocrine Disruptor Evidence (Expanded)
Cross-referenced EDC classifications, mechanism data, and dose-response evidence from EDLists, SIN List, and cosmetic-specific detail sources.
Suspected
Evidence: High
(2014)
Health effects: Yes
Affected pathways: Estrogenic, Anti-androgenic, Thyroid
Regulatory framework: REACH
Source list: II
Cosmetic-Specific Mechanism
Category: UV filter
Receptor targets: ERα, ERβ, AR, TR
LOEC: 1.56 µM
EU status: restricted (max 6% rinse-off, 2% face leave-on)
agonist (ER); antagonist (AR, TR)
Dose-Response Data Points
| Endpoint | Target | Value | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC50_ER | ERα | 19.5 µM | agonist |
| IC50_AR | AR | 4.98 µM | antagonist |
| dermal_RF | skin | 0.01 mg/cm² (0.5% of applied dose) mg/cm² | - |
| dermal_RF_16h | skin | 1.0 ± 0.4 µg/cm² | - |
| Cell proliferation | ER | EC50/IC50: ~2 uM (EC50); LOEC: ~0.3 uM; NOEC: 0.1 uM mixed | agonist |
| ERE-driven luciferase induction | ERa | EC50/IC50: EC50 not determinable (partial plateau at 1 uM); LOEC: 1 uM; NOEC: 0.1 uM mixed | weak agonist |
SIN List ED: Suspected ED
Cosmetic relevance: direct
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
EU CosIng Annex Listing
European Commission CosIng database Annex references per Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Annex VI — Permitted UV Filters
Product type: a) Face products, hand products, and lip products, excluding propellant and pump spray products
b) Body products, including propellant and pump spray products
c) Other products
Max: a) 6%
b) 2,2%
c) 0,5%
Footnote 1: However, cosmetic products containing '2-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone/Oxybenzone' and complying with the restrictions set out in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as applicable on 27 July 2022 may be placed on the Union market until 28 January 2023 and be made available on the Union market until 28 July 2023.
For a) and b): Contains Benzophenone-3 (*)
Footnote (*): Not required if concentration is 0,5 % or less and when it is used only for product protection purposes.
Expanded Jurisdictional Detail
Additional regulatory detail beyond the 7-jurisdiction summary: Saudi SFDA, Korea MFDS, ASEAN ACD, Japan/Korea, Brazil/India, and cross-jurisdictional restriction entries.
KR Korea MFDS Annex 2 (Restricted)
Category: UV Filter. Max: 2.4% (face/hand/lip: 5%).
SA Saudi SFDA (VI - UV Filters)
Max: 6% Reg (EU) 2017/238 of 10 February 2017- date of application from September 2017.
JPKR Japan/Korea Cosmetics
Japan (Positive (UV Absorber)): max 5.0
Korea (Restricted): max 2.4
Japan (Restricted): max Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 5.0% | Mucosa: 5.0%
BRIN Brazil/India Cosmetics
India: Permitted UV Filter · max 6% Reg (EU) 2017/238 of 10 February 2017- date of application from September 2017
Additional Jurisdictional Restrictions (9)
| Jurisdiction | Status | Max % | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP | restricted | Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 5.0% | Mucosa: 5.0% | Wash-away: No limit | Leave-on: 5.0% | Mucosa: 5.0% |
| CN | permitted_uv_filter | 10 | All cosmetics |
| IN | permitted_uv_filter | 10.0 | sunscreen and other cosmetic products |
| AU | restricted | - | sunscreens (therapeutic) |
| GCC | restricted | 6.0 | All cosmetics |
| UK | restricted | - | - |
| ID | permitted_uv_filter | 10% (current ASEAN-wide); Vietnam 2026 new limits: 6% facial/hand/lip; 2.2% body; 0.5% other; Indonesia reducing | - |
| ID | restricted | Reducing from 10% (exact new limit TBC; Indonesia aligning with EU) | Sunscreen products |
Expanded Dermal Absorption Data
Cross-database dermal penetration: EPA Dryad physics-based, Roberts Mendeley permeation, and SCCS-aggregated measured values.
Aggregated DA Values (1 records across 5 sources)
| Type | DA % | Method | Skin Model | SCCS Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measured_in_vitro | 8.0 | In vitro — Franz diffusion cells | - | SCCS/1223/09 (2013) (2013) |
Typical Use Concentrations
Reported concentration ranges per product category from SCCS/CIR/industry sources.
| Product Category | Typical Range | Max Reported | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | 2–6 | 10 | CIR Safety Assessment |
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Fragrance
UV stabilizer
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
FDA Indirect Food Contact Additives
EU CosIng Cosmetics Ingredient Database
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
highly_sensitizing
high_dermal_absorption
photoallergen
fda_not_grase
eu_concentration_limit
endocrine_concern
avoid_skin_contact_formulas
ifra_fragrance
eu_cosing_listed
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
139
Lowest NOAEL
0.119
Highest NOAEL
9500
Units vary across source rows: mg/kg bw/day, mg/kg bw/d, mg/kg/ day
SCCS Opinion
ECHA
COSMOS DB
Dermal Absorption
View details ->| Absorption % | Method | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | In vitro — Franz diffusion cells | Sunscreen o/w / w/o emulsion |
Known Synonyms
BRN 1913145
EINECS 205-031-5
NCI-C60957
NSC-7778
Oxibenzonum
Sunscreen UV-15
Oxybenzonum
UNII-95OOS7VE0Y
Chemical Function
UV stabilizer
Fragrance
Regulatory Lists
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
drinking_water; Europe; manufacturing; plastic_additive
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Personal care
Europe; Food contact items
Europe; restricted
IFRA Transparency
Cleaning products and household care - shoes; Europe
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Australia
pharmaceutical
Indirect additives food contact (10/2018)
detected; Europe; Personal care - nails - nail polish
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Europe; Personal care
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
OXYBENZONE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1625
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
51
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) allowed in the EU?
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 6% (sunscreen); 0.5% (non-UV-filter use). This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) do in cosmetics?
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) functions as: UV Filter, Photostabilizer. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 131-57-7.
What is the NOAEL for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) is 544 mg/kg bw/day based on a Subchronic study via oral route in mouse. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) used outside cosmetics?
Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) also appears in industrial chemical safety and pharmaceutical data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
Related Ingredients
(20S)-Protopanaxadiol
MODERATE
Similar safety
(Cnidium Officinale/Coptis Chinensis/Glycyrrhiza Uralensis) Root Extract
MODERATE
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Cryptomeria Japonica/Chamaecyparis Obtusa) Stem Ferment Extract
MODERATE
Similar safety
Antimicrobial, antioxidant, humectant
(Eclipta Prostrata/Houttuynia Cordata) Leaf Extract
MODERATE
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Lepidium Meyenii/Sarcodon Aspratus) Root Water
MODERATE
Similar safety
Skin conditioning
(Licorice/Reynoutria Japonica) Root/Stem Extract
MODERATE
Similar safety
Skin conditioning, antioxidant
Acetylneuraminic Acid
EXCELLENT
Chemical family
Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
BENZOPHENONE-3
MODERATE
Chemical family
Light Stabilizer, Uv Absorber, Uv Filter
Benzophenone-1
POOR
Chemical family
UV absorber, light stabilizer (protec...
Benzophenone-2
POOR
Chemical family
UV filter, light stabilizer, fragrance
BENINCASA CERIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT
GOOD
Browse nearby
Skin Conditioning
BENINCASA CERIFERA SEED EXTRACT
GOOD
Browse nearby
Skin Conditioning
BENZALDEHYDE
GOOD
Browse nearby
Denaturant, Flavouring, Fragrance, Pe...
BENZALDEHYDE DIMETHYLACETAL
GOOD
Browse nearby
Perfuming
1,4-Butanediol
POOR
Same EU status
Solvent, humectant, viscosity control...
Is Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) in Your Products?
Scan any product label with Piro — our free ingredient scanner. Point your camera at the ingredients list and get instant safety scores for every ingredient.
Try Piro Free →Analyze Your Full Ingredient List
Paste any INCI list into the Decoder for instant safety analysis, or calculate the Margin of Safety for Benzophenone-3 (Oxybenzone) in your formulation.