Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate

INCI: POTASSIUM PHENYLBENZIMIDAZOLE SULFONATE

CAS Number
158099-19-5
Function
UV-B filter / UV absorber (280–320 nm); potassium salt of Ensulizol (PBSA)
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
EU Max Conc. 8%
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes Ensulizol (the parent acid) is an FDA-approved OTC sunscreen active (21 CFR 352) at up to 4%; the potassium salt form functions equivalently

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
adequate
Dermal Absorption
low
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Photostability concerns — degrades under UV, often requires photostabilizers (e.g., octocrylene); generates ROS upon degradation; primarily UVB-only, requires UVA co-filters for broad-spectrum protection

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Concern Level: Low

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate safe in cosmetics?

Photostability concerns — degrades under UV, often requires photostabilizers (e.g., octocrylene); generates ROS upon degradation; primarily UVB-only, requires UVA co-filters for broad-spectrum protection The EU classifies Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate allowed in the EU?

Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate EU regulatory status: permitted. Maximum allowed concentration: 8%. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate do in cosmetics?

Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate functions as: UV-B filter / UV absorber (280–320 nm); potassium salt of Ensulizol (PBSA). It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 158099-19-5.

What is the Margin of Safety for Potassium Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonate?

adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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