murphyBenzophenone-3
AKA: Oxybenzone, 131-57-7, 2-HYDROXY-4-METHOXYBENZOPHENONE, 2-Benzoyl-5-methoxyphenol, Advastab 45, Oxybenzon, Anuvex, 4-Methoxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone, Ongrostab HMB
Synthetic
Sunscreen Filter
Not Clean
OriginSynthesized from benzene and diphenyl ketone precursors through Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions. Produced via catalytic coupling of these aromatic compounds under controlled industrial conditions.
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 68 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C14H12O3
Mol. Weight
228.24
CAS #
131-57-7
Form
Powder
State
2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone appears as white to off-white or light yellow powder. (NTP, 1992)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Sun Damage
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
No
Functions
Light Stabilizer
Uv Absorber
Blocks or absorbs UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
Uv Filter
Blocks or absorbs UV rays to protect your skin from sun damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
Shields from UV damage
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
No
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Eye Irritant
2 studies / 2 not irritating (CIR 827)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
7 studies / 1 mixed / 6 not irritating / reactions mild / plus 2 case reports (CIR 219 and 827)
Mixed Phototoxicity Results
Both phototoxic and non-phototoxic results in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 219 and 827)
Mixed Sensitization Results
7 studies / 2 sensitizing / 1 mixed / 4 not sensitizing / plus 30 case reports (CIR 219 and 827)
Dermal Absorption 0.5–80%
5 animal / human and lab (in vitro) studies in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 827)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.014–0.5%
Rinse-off0.001–0.5%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 6%
CIR reported use · 2020 survey
FDA OTC limit (Sunscreen): 6%. 21 CFR 352.10 | EU/SCCS limit: 0.5% in ready for use preparation, sunscreen. Opinion: SCCS/1625/20
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR