Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane

TL;DR. This ingredient is an oil-soluble UVA filter used in sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup with SPF. It helps cover the long-wave UVA range, especially when paired with photostabilizers and complementary UV filters.

What does Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane do in a cosmetic formula?

This ingredient is an oil-soluble UVA filter used in sunscreens, moisturizers, and makeup with SPF. It helps cover the long-wave UVA range, especially when paired with photostabilizers and complementary UV filters.

Is Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane clean?

From a clean-beauty perspective, it is a debated synthetic UV filter rather than a broadly accepted natural-standard ingredient. The main issues are photostability, possible irritation in sensitive users, and restricted-list friction in some clean retail standards.

Is Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane sustainable?

This material is typically made from petrochemical feedstocks and is not considered readily biodegradable. It has been detected in aquatic environments, so its environmental profile is less aligned with low-persistence ingredient goals.

Is Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane COSMOS-approved?

It is not permitted under COSMOS-organic or COSMOS-natural standards for certified natural and organic cosmetics. Its synthetic origin, persistence profile, and reliance on stabilizing co-formulants make it a weak fit with Green Chemistry preferences.

How does Butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane work chemically?

The molecule is an aromatic beta-diketone UV absorber that exists in keto and enol forms, with UVA absorbance centered around the mid-to-long UVA region. Typical regulatory limits are up to 3% in the United States and up to 5% in the European Union, and it is photolabile unless stabilized with compatible filters, quenchers, or encapsulation systems.

Last updated 2026-05-16