Oxybenzone
OXYBENZONE
Data confidence:High
Reef Unsafe
Linked to coral bleaching and aquatic toxicity. Banned in several jurisdictions.
Suspected Endocrine Disruptor
Under investigation by regulatory bodies for potential hormone interference.
Function
UV Filter (Chemical)
EWG Safety Score
8/10High concern
About this ingredient
Oxybenzone is a broad-spectrum chemical UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet radiation (UVA and UVB) and converts it to heat, providing protection against sun damage, photoaging, and sunburn. It is widely used in sunscreens and cosmetic formulations and also functions as a photostabilizer to improve the efficacy and stability of other UV filters.