EU Declares Benzophenone-1 Unsafe in Cosmetics (April 2025)
Benzophenone-1 isn't a UV filter you slather on — it's a hidden cosmetic stabilizer, and in April 2025 EU scientists ruled it unsafe.
In its final opinion SCCS/1672/24 (1 April 2025), the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety concluded Benzophenone-1 is not safe as a light stabiliser in cosmetics, citing genotoxicity potential plus estrogenic and weak anti-androgenic endocrine activity shown in vitro and in vivo.
EU regulators note that when a substance shows both genotoxicity potential and endocrine activity, a safe-use level often cannot be established, which is why the SCCS labeled benzophenone-1 unsafe rather than restricting it to a maximum concentration.
Questions we get a lot
Is benzophenone-1 the same as the oxybenzone in sunscreen?
No. Benzophenone-1 (CAS 131-56-6) is used as a light stabiliser to protect colour and fragrance in cosmetic formulas, not as a labeled sunscreen UV filter. Oxybenzone is benzophenone-3, a different though chemically related compound. The April 2025 SCCS opinion specifically addressed benzophenone-1's use as a stabiliser.
Why did the EU declare benzophenone-1 unsafe?
The SCCS final opinion (1 April 2025) concluded the ingredient is not safe as a light stabiliser because of genotoxicity potential plus estrogenic and weak anti-androgenic endocrine activity demonstrated in laboratory and animal studies. When both genotoxicity and endocrine effects are present, a safe exposure threshold typically cannot be set.
Does an SCCS 'unsafe' opinion mean a ban?
An SCCS opinion is scientific advice, not law in itself, but the European Commission usually acts on a clear 'unsafe' verdict by restricting or banning the substance under the Cosmetics Regulation. So an unsafe opinion is a strong signal that regulatory action will follow.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'Is benzophenone-1 the same thing as oxybenzone in my sunscreen, and should I be worried?'