INCI: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Broad-spectrum chemical UVA filter. Covers the UVA1 range (340–400 nm) where mineral filters are weaker. Photounstable – requires stabilizers (octocrylene, Tinosorb S).
Topical application
AProven efficacy. Two or more independent RCTs with instrumental endpoints.
FDA approved as an OTC UV filter. UVA protection efficacy confirmed by decades of data. Photodegradation is the main issue: without stabilizers, it loses up to 50% activity within 1 hour of sun exposure.
Avobenzone (INCI Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) is a synthetic organic UV filter, the only one FDA-approved as OTC sunscreen covering UVA1 up to 365 nm. Without avobenzone, current US sunscreen formulas do not cover the UVA zone responsible for photoaging and melanoma risk. Where applied. Sunscreens up to 3% in US, 5% in EU, Canada, Japan. Often combined with octocrylene, octisalate, oxybenzone for broad-spectrum coverage. In Spain – La Roche-Posay Anthelios, Vichy Capital Soleil, Bioderma Photoderm. Photoinstability – the key issue. Avobenzone alone degrades under UV within 30-60 minutes – loses 50-90% of UVA protection. Without photostabilizers, avobenzone sunscreen stops protecting within an hour. Modern formulations add octocrylene, bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), DESA (diethylhexyl-2,6-naphthalate) – stabilize avobenzone. Benzophenone controversy 2021. Sayre et al. (Chem Res Toxicol, 2021) showed that with prolonged storage (>1 year at room temperature) octocrylene in avobenzone formulas degrades into benzophenone – a potential endocrine disruptor. After the publication, manufacturers (L'Oréal, Beiersdorf, Pierre Fabre) shifted to Tinosorb S-stabilized variants or removed avobenzone/octocrylene altogether. Safety. CIR/SCCS confirm safety at concentrations up to 5%. Topical systemic absorption was reported in FDA Matta (JAMA 2020) – avobenzone is detected in plasma after maximum application. Clinical significance has not been established. Allergic and photocontact reactions are rare. Pregnancy and lactation – acceptable. EU EMA and Spanish AEDV consider avobenzone safe in topical use in pregnancy. Some gynecologists recommend switching to mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) or new organic filters (Tinosorb S, Mexoryl 400) – more photostable and without benzophenone metabolite. Alternatives. Tinosorb S/M, Mexoryl SX/400, mineral filters. In modern EU sunscreens (post-2022) avobenzone is often replaced by these analogues.
Irritation potential
LowAllergen risk
LowPregnancy
CautionWorks well with
OctocryleneОктокрилен
Octocrylene stabilizes photo-unstable avobenzone. However, octocrylene itself degrades to benzophenone during long storage – factor this in.
Uvinul A PlusУвинул A Plus
DHHB (Uvinul A Plus) stabilizes avobenzone as well as octocrylene but without degradation risks. The modern choice.
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to Wildberries, Goldapple, Letu, iHerb, Sephora and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Avobenzone should be used with caution during pregnancy. Consulting a dermatologist or OB-GYN is advisable.
Avobenzone suits: normal, combination, oily, dry. Use with caution in: sensitive.
Broad-spectrum chemical UVA filter.
The INCI name is Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane. It may also appear as: Авобензон.
Published: · updated:
Suitable for
Use with caution