Benzophenone-3, a chemical UV-filter in cosmetics: is it really safe for children and pregnant women?
Open accessAbstract
Children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to skin damage caused by ultraviolet radiation and require intensified photoprotection. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) belongs to the organic sunscreens, which are widely used in personal care and cosmetic products. However, the impact of BP-3 on human health requires a careful assessment. This review focuses on potentially harmful effect of this compound in relation to the developing organism. Studies show that BP-3, after topical application, can penetrate into bloodstream, blood-brain barrier and blood-placental barrier and may induce the reproductive toxicity and abnormal development of the foetus, endocrine system disruption and neurotoxicity in experimental animal models. So far, human studies have been scarce and controversial, therefore the cosmetics containing BP-3 should be carefully used by the pregnant women, children and adolescents.
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Benzophenone-3 has been reported to disrupt functioning of organs, endocrine systems and fetal development in humans.
“According to Wnuk et al. (2022), benzophenone-3, an organic sunscreen formulation commonly used in cosmetic products to minimize damaging effect by ultraviolet radiation has been reported to disrupt functioning of organs, endocrine systems and fetal development in humans.”
From Skin protection from solar ultraviolet radiation using natural compounds: a review (2024) · cites this paper as Wnuk et al. 2022
Many cosmetic items do not go through thorough pre-market carcinogenicity testing, leaving producers to ensure safety.
“Since many of these items do not go through thorough pre-market carcinogenicity testing, it is largely up to the producers to ensure safety (45).”
From The dark side of beauty: an in-depth analysis of the health hazards and toxicological impact of synthetic cosmetics and personal care products (2024) · cites this paper as [45]
The Conclusions (page unavailable) say that studies of BP-3’s health effects are insufficient, but do not discuss pre-market carcinogenicity testing or producers’ responsibility for cosmetic safety. Searches for carcinogenicity, pre-market testing, and manufacturer responsibility found no passage addressing those points. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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References 84 · Cited by 71
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- [8]Bojarowicz H, Bartnikowska N. Kosmetyki ochrony przeciwsłonecznej. Czêœæ I. Filtry UV oraz ich właściwości. Probl Hig Epidemiol 2014; 95: 596- 601.
- Authors
- Wnuk, W., Michalska, K., Krupa, A., & Pawlak, K.
- Affiliations
- Medical University of Białystok (PL)
- Corresponding author
- Pawlak, Krystyna
- ORCID
- Pawlak, Krystyna
- Venue
- Advances in Dermatology and Allergology
- Publisher
- Termedia Sp. z.o.o.
- Published
- 2022
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 26-33
- ISSN
- 0860-6218 (ISSN-L)
- 1642-395X
- PMC
- PMC8953895
- OpenAlex
- W4214718854
- Cited by
- 71
- References
- 84
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 4
- FWCI
- 1.46
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Advances in Dermatology and Allergology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- 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
- benzophenone-3, UV filters, photoprotection, children, adolescents, pregnancy, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, blood-brain barrier, placental transfer, fetal development, topical absorption
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