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Ingredient · INCI reference

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

a.k.a. Avobenzone

CAS 70356-09-1

Avobenzone is an older organic filter that absorbs UVA1 and UVA2 but is not photostable on its own. It is approved in all four markets: US up to 3%, EU and Korea up to 5%, and Japan up to 10% as a quasi-drug. EWG rates it 2.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. ! UNSTABLE Photo-unstable — degrades under sunlight without stabilising filters. Gen · old organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVA1 · UVA2
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — not covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — covered
02 Regional approval · max %
JP ✓ 10% Japan: Approved · max 10% KR ✓ 5% South Korea: Approved · max 5% EU ✓ 5% Europe: Approved · max 5% US ✓ 3% United States: Approved · max 3%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
2
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

Why does avobenzone need stabilizers?

Avobenzone degrades under UV light, losing UVA protection over the day. Formulators pair it with photostabilizers such as bemotrizinol or octocrylene to maintain its absorption.

What does avobenzone protect against?

It absorbs UVA1 and UVA2, the longer UV wavelengths linked to skin aging. It does not provide UVB coverage on its own and must be combined with UVB filters.

Is avobenzone safe?

The data here show no endocrine-disruption flag and no reef-toxicity flag, and EWG rates it 2 (low-moderate hazard). It is approved as a sunscreen active in the US, EU, Japan, and Korea.

Products in catalogue

Containing Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane