Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane (avobenzone) is an organic (chemical) sunscreen agent that absorbs UVA radiation, helping protect skin from photoaging and UVA-induced damage. It is photounstable on its own and is typically combined with stabilizers or photostabilizing filters in formulations.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Contact dermatitis / skin irritation | Uncommon | Mild irritation or allergic contact dermatitis reported in sensitive individuals. |
Photoallergic contact dermatitis | Rare | Avobenzone is among the more commonly implicated sunscreen photoallergens, though absolute incidence remains low. |
Reduced efficacy from photodegradation | Common | Degrades under UV exposure unless stabilized, which can lower UVA protection over time rather than causing direct harm. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.