Oxybenzone
An organic UV filter with a genuinely mixed evidence picture: it is a documented contact and photo-contact allergen in a subset of users, and studies show it absorbs into the bloodstream at levels that prompted the FDA to request further safety data. The EU has lowered its permitted concentration as a precaution. It is not established as unsafe at approved levels, but people with sensitive skin may prefer to watch for reactions or choose a mineral filter.
Worth knowing
- Known contact sensitizer for some
- Restricted in the EU
EU reduced the maximum allowed concentration of oxybenzone in cosmetic products (to 6% for face products and 2.2% for body products) following an SCCS safety reassessment.
Gentler alternatives
Products with Oxybenzone
References
Cosmetic information for general education, not medical advice. Concern is graded on cited evidence, never on hazard-score lists. See how we score.