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Answer: Oxybenzone is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US cosmetics and personal-care products. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: sunscreen, SPF makeup, lip balm.
TL;DR: Oxybenzone is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (uv filters).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
INCI name Benzophenone-3. CAS 131-57-7.
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | sunscreen, SPF makeup, lip balm |
| CAS number | 131-57-7 |
Oxybenzone is an organic UV filter (benzophenone-3).
It is used for its preservative, coloring, UV-filtering, lightening or texture-enhancing properties.
An endocrine disruptor that is also banned in some reef regions. The EU restricts its concentration; it remains widely used in the US.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of Oxybenzonewith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Oxybenzone is restricted under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Yes — Oxybenzone can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Oxybenzone automatically.
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Oxybenzone.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Oxybenzone or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.