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Ingredient · INCI reference

Benzophenone-4

a.k.a. Sulisobenzone

CAS 4065-45-6

Sulisobenzone (Benzophenone-4) is an older-generation, water-soluble organic filter covering UVB and UVA2. It is approved in the US and Japan at up to 10%, and in the EU and Korea at up to 5%. It is photostable, though EWG rates it 5, the highest concern score in this set.

Legacy organic Pre-2000 chemical filters; broadly approved. Gen · old organic
01 Spectrum coverage UVA2 · UVB
UVB 290–320nm UVB (290–320nm) — covered UVA-II 320–340nm UVA-II (320–340nm) — covered UVA-I 340–400nm UVA-I (340–400nm) — not 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 ✓ 10% United States: Approved · max 10%
03 Safety profile
EWG score
5
Reef-toxic
No
Endocrine disruptor
No
Comedogenicity
0
Reference

Frequently asked questions

Why does the INCI say Benzophenone-4 when the name is Sulisobenzone?

Sulisobenzone is the common name and Benzophenone-4 is the INCI name for the same molecule. It is part of the benzophenone family of organic UV filters.

What does Sulisobenzone protect against?

It absorbs UVB and UVA2 wavelengths, so it contributes to sunburn-range and shorter UVA coverage. It does not reach into the long UVA1 range on its own.

Where is Sulisobenzone approved and at what level?

It is approved in the US and Japan (quasi-drug) up to 10%, and in the EU and Korea up to 5%. So global formulations cap it lower than US or Japanese ones.

Why is its EWG score higher than other approved filters here?

EWG rates it 5, the highest in this set. The data here does not flag it as an endocrine disruptor or reef-toxic, but the hazard score reflects EWG's overall concern level.