Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) is an organic chemical UV filter that absorbs both UVB and short UVA radiation, used in sunscreens and as a photostabilizer in cosmetics. It is one of the more commonly studied filters due to its skin penetration and systemic absorption.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Contact allergic dermatitis | Uncommon | One of the more frequent sunscreen-related allergens, causing localized rash and itching. |
Photoallergic/photocontact dermatitis | Uncommon | Reaction triggered or worsened by sun exposure on treated skin. |
Skin irritation or stinging | Common | Mild transient irritation, especially around the eyes or on sensitive skin. |
Systemic absorption into bloodstream | Common | Detectable plasma levels reported after application; clinical significance remains under study. |
Possible endocrine/hormonal activity | Rare | Suggested in some animal and in vitro studies; human relevance unconfirmed. |
Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction | Very rare | Isolated case reports only. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.