Benzophenone-4 ●
TL;DR. This ingredient functions primarily as a synthetic UV filter and UV absorber, helping sunscreen formulas absorb UV radiation and helping other products resist light-driven discoloration or degradation.
What does Benzophenone-4 do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient functions primarily as a synthetic UV filter and UV absorber, helping sunscreen formulas absorb UV radiation and helping other products resist light-driven discoloration or degradation.
Is Benzophenone-4 clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient has significant restricted-list friction because it belongs to a flagged synthetic UV-filter class with sensitization reports and endocrine-activity screening concerns. It is not typically treated as a low-concern clean-standard ingredient.
Is Benzophenone-4 sustainable?
This material is petrochemical-derived and is not considered readily biodegradable. Its water solubility can increase movement through wastewater streams, and related UV filters have been detected in surface waters.
Is Benzophenone-4 COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards as a synthetic organic UV filter. Its petrochemical origin and poor biodegradability make it a weak fit with Green Chemistry preferences for renewable sourcing and ready environmental breakdown.
How does Benzophenone-4 work chemically?
The molecule is an aromatic ketone UV absorber with phenolic, methoxy, and sulfonic acid functionality, which gives it stronger water solubility than many oil-soluble UV filters. It is typically used in the water phase, may be neutralized with bases for solubility, and can have compatibility issues with strongly cationic ingredients.
Last updated 2026-05-13