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Data: Limited

Sulisobenzone

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), and Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)

SYNONYMS

● FT-0612547
● D05964
● 4-HYDROXY-2-METHOXY-5-(OXO-PHENYLMETHYL)BENZENESULFONIC ACID
● 2-BENZOYL-5-METHOXY-1-PHENOL-4-SULPHONIC ACID
● 5-BENZOYL-4-HYDROXY-2-METHOXYBENZENESULFONIC ACID, >=97.0% (HPLC)
● Q7636301
● DB-049626
● J-509633
● 1-PHENOL-4-SULFONIC ACID, 2-BENZOYL-5-METHOXY-, SODIUM SALT
● 5-BENZOYL-4-HYDROXY-2-METHOXYBENZENESULFONIC ACID AMMONIATE

Unacceptable

Unacceptable: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient

Sulisobenzone (benzophenone-4) is a sunscreen ingredient; can cause skin and eye irritation. Does not penetrate the skin to a large degree, but enhances the ability of other chemicals to penetrate.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • MODERATE
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
styling gel/lotion93 products
hair spray74 products
shampoo182 products
styling mousse/foam37 products
conditioner127 products
hair treatment/serum60 products
shaving cream (men's)1 products
after shave7 products
hair styling aid111 products
moisturizer47 products
sunless tanning2 products
lipstick9 products
toners/astringents22 products
detangler5 products
exfoliant/scrub7 products
after sun product42 products
facial cleanser32 products
body wash/cleanser98 products
bar soap2 products
skin fading/lightener1 products
mask31 products
Hair Styling Gel19 products
liquid hand soap243 products
eye makeup remover2 products
hand sanitizer48 products
body firming lotion14 products
body spray17 products
facial moisturizer/treatment19 products
hair-loss treatment5 products
Other Hair Care Preparations1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant1 products
fragrance for women3 products
bath oil/salts/soak22 products
serums & essences8 products
bubble bath27 products
makeup remover4 products
bronzer/highlighter1 products
makeup primer6 products
body oil1 products
hand cream8 products
shaving cream3 products
hair color and bleaching14 products
beard cleanser1 products
baby shampoo2 products
baby soap2 products
damaged skin treatment1 products
nail treatment3 products
setting powder/spray1 products
Exfoliants1 products
around-eye cream1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
polish remover1 products
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders2 products
anti-aging2 products
Oils & Serums1 products

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic or allergenic effectsBenzophenone 4: an emerging allergen in cosmetics and toiletries?(2007-03-01)
One or more human case studies show equivocal photoallergic or allergenic effectsCausal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia(2006-08-01)
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic or allergenic effectsCausal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia(2006-08-01)
Associated with immunotoxicity or allergiesCausal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia(2006-08-01)
One or more human case studies show significant photoallergenic or allergenic effectsCausal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia(2006-08-01)
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidenceCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
Human skin toxicant or allergen - strong evidencePeer Reviewed Literature
Limited evidence of dermal toxicity or allergiesEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Enhanced skin absorption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Penetration enhancerActive ingredients in sunscreens act as topical penetration enhancers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2004-03-15)
Absorbs into the skinStudy of the photostability of 18 sunscreens in creams by measuring the SPF in vitro(2007-05-09)

Endocrine disruption

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Associated with endocrine disruptionComparison of in vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity of UV filters in fish(2006-04-01)

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not likely to be a skin irritant in humansSubmission of data by CTFA, unpublished data on benzophenone, appendices 2d, 2g, 2i(1976-01-01)
Not likely to be a skin irritant in humansUnpublished data(1962-01-01)
Human any irritant - strong evidenceCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Cancer

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not likely to be mutagenic in humansSubmission of data, unpublished data, appendix 7f(1980-01-01)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)Unpublished data(1962-01-01)
One or more animal studies show sense effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)Unpublished data(1962-01-01)
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
  • Benzophenone 4: an emerging allergen in cosmetics and toiletries?(2007-03-01)
  • Causal agents of photoallergic contact dermatitis diagnosed in the national institute of dermatology of Colombia(2006-08-01)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Peer Reviewed Literature
  • European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Active ingredients in sunscreens act as topical penetration enhancers for the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2004-03-15)
  • Study of the photostability of 18 sunscreens in creams by measuring the SPF in vitro(2007-05-09)
  • Comparison of in vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity of UV filters in fish(2006-04-01)
  • Submission of data by CTFA, unpublished data on benzophenone, appendices 2d, 2g, 2i(1976-01-01)
  • Unpublished data(1962-01-01)
  • Submission of data, unpublished data, appendix 7f(1980-01-01)
  • Environment Canada

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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