Systemic absorption of the sunscreens benzophenone-3, octyl-methoxycinnamate, and 3-(4-methyl-benzylidene) camphor after whole-body topical application and reproductive hormone levels in humans
Open accessAbstract
Recent in vitro and animal studies have reported estrogen-like activity of chemicals used in sunscreen preparations. We investigated whether the three sunscreens benzophenone-3 (BP-3), octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC), and 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor (4-MBC) were absorbed and influenced endogenous reproductive hormone levels in humans after topical application. In this 2-wk single-blinded study 32 healthy volunteers, 15 young males and 17 postmenopausal females, were assigned to daily whole-body topical application of 2 mg per cm(2) of basic cream formulation without (week 1) and with (week 2) the three sunscreens at 10% (wt/wt) of each. Maximum plasma concentrations were 200 ng per mL BP-3, 20 ng per mL 4-MBC, and 10 ng per mL OMC for females and 300 ng per mL BP-3, 20 ng per mL 4-MBC, and 20 ng per mL OMC for men. All three sunscreens were detectable in urine. The reproductive hormones FSH, LH were unchanged but minor differences in testosterone levels were observed between the 2 wk. A minor difference in serum estradiol and inhibin B levels were observed in men only. These differences in hormone levels were not related to sunscreen exposure.
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Organic UV filters, particularly benzophenone and cinnamate derivatives, are present in biological samples such as urine and blood.
“Regarding organic UV filters, some reports evidenced their presence in biological samples, such as in urine and blood samples, particularly benzophenone and cinnamate derivatives [66]; however, some strategies could be applied as a preventive measure to avoid the systemic effect, namely the use of silicon spheres [67], or mesoporous silica [68].”
From UV Filters: Challenges and Prospects (2022) · cites this paper as [66]
Oxybenzone has systemic absorption and is detected in urine and blood stream.
“Second, the compound has systemic absorption and is detected in urine and blood stream (84).”
From Photoprotection: a Review of the Current and Future Technologies (2010) · cites this paper as [84]
Current scientific studies have not supported fears that oxybenzone has endocrine and carcinogenic effects.
“Growing concerns raised by non-profit organizations have suggested the endocrine and carcinogenic effect of this compound, even though current scientific studies have not supported these fears (84).”
From Photoprotection: a Review of the Current and Future Technologies (2010) · cites this paper as [84]
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- Authors
- Janjua, N. R., Mogensen, B., Andersson, A.-M., Petersen, J. H., Henriksen, M., Skakkebæk, N. E., & Wulf, H. C.
- Affiliations
- Bispebjerg Hospital (DK)
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- Corresponding author
- Wulf, Hans Christian
- Venue
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2004-07
- Volume
- 123
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 57-61
- ISSN
- 0022-202X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2081132948
- Cited by
- 338
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 15
- FWCI
- 8.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Investigative Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Effects and risks of endocrine disrupting chemicals
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
- Keywords
- sunscreen, benzophenone-3, octyl methoxycinnamate, systemic absorption, topical application, reproductive hormones, testosterone, estradiol, inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogenic activity, postmenopausal women
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Topical, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Benzophenones, Benzylamines, Cinnamates, Estradiol, Female, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Humans, Luteinizing Hormone, Male, Middle Aged, Radioimmunoassay, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Sunscreening Agents, Testosterone, Postmenopause
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