Benzophenone-3
molecular structure · PubChem
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
Safety Concern
Not Clean
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)
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
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
No
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
6.0%
0%8%
Reg. Limit
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Sun Damage
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
No
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.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR