1. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzone
2. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone
3. Benzophenone-3
4. Eusolex 4360
5. Eusolex-4360
6. Hmbp Cpd
7. Solbar
1. 131-57-7
2. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone
3. Benzophenone-3
4. (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)methanone
5. 4-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone
6. Oxybenzon
7. Advastab 45
8. 2-benzoyl-5-methoxyphenol
9. Ongrostab Hmb
10. Methanone, (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)phenyl-
11. Anuvex
12. Benzophenone 3
13. Escalol 567
14. Eusolex 4360
15. Chimassorb 90
16. Uvinul 9
17. Cyasorb Uv 9
18. Oxibenzona
19. Oxybenzonum
20. Sunscreen Uv-15
21. Syntase 62
22. Uvistat 24
23. Usaf Cy-9
24. Uvinul M40
25. Spectra-sorb Uv 9
26. Nsc-7778
27. Oxybenzonum [inn-latin]
28. Oxibenzona [inn-spanish]
29. (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-phenylmethanone
30. Cyasorb Uv 9 Light Absorber
31. (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)phenylmethanone
32. Uf 3
33. Uv 9
34. Benzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-
35. Nci-c60957
36. Tinosorb B 3
37. Uvinul 40
38. Viosorb 110
39. Uvinul M 40
40. Chebi:34283
41. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy Benzophenone
42. Kahscreen Bz-3
43. 95oos7ve0y
44. Chembl1625
45. Mob
46. (2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-phenyl)-phenyl-methanone
47. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzophenone
48. Nsc7778
49. Ncgc00016394-07
50. Cas-131-57-7
51. Dsstox_cid_2405
52. Dsstox_rid_76576
53. Dsstox_gsid_22405
54. Smr000035344
55. Ccris 1078
56. Hsdb 4503
57. Sr-01000610567
58. Nsc 7778
59. Einecs 205-031-5
60. Unii-95oos7ve0y
61. Brn 1913145
62. Oxybenzone [usan:usp:inn]
63. Ai3-23644
64. Neo Heliopan Bb
65. Kopben-3
66. Mfcd00008387
67. Solaquin (salt/mix)
68. Spectrum_001049
69. Durascreen (salt/mix)
70. Oxybenzone [mi]
71. Oxybenzone [inn]
72. Prestwick0_000887
73. Prestwick1_000887
74. Prestwick2_000887
75. Prestwick3_000887
76. Spectrum2_001008
77. Spectrum3_000538
78. Spectrum4_000463
79. Spectrum5_001337
80. Oxybenzone [hsdb]
81. Oxybenzone [usan]
82. Oxybenzone [vandf]
83. Presun 15 (salt/mix)
84. Epitope Id:131795
85. Wln: 1or Cq Dvr
86. Ec 205-031-5
87. Oxybenzone [mart.]
88. Oxybenzone [usp-rs]
89. Oxybenzone [who-dd]
90. Oprea1_174131
91. Schembl15551
92. Bspbio_000674
93. Bspbio_002155
94. Kbiogr_000906
95. Kbioss_001529
96. Mls000039797
97. Mls001055487
98. Bidd:er0353
99. Divk1c_000184
100. Spectrum1500451
101. Spbio_001135
102. Spbio_002893
103. Benzophenone-3 [inci]
104. Oxybenzone, Analytical Standard
105. Bpbio1_000742
106. Benzophenone-3 [vandf]
107. Dtxsid3022405
108. Oxybenzone [orange Book]
109. Hms500j06
110. Kbio1_000184
111. Kbio2_001529
112. Kbio2_004097
113. Kbio2_006665
114. Kbio3_001655
115. Ninds_000184
116. Hms1570b16
117. Hms1920d16
118. Hms2091l16
119. Hms2097b16
120. Hms2424p09
121. Hms3714b16
122. Oxybenzone [usp Monograph]
123. Pharmakon1600-01500451
124. Zinc136138
125. Albb-021277
126. Bcp25880
127. Hy-a0067
128. Tox21_110418
129. Tox21_201985
130. Tox21_302852
131. Bbl003220
132. Bdbm50253134
133. Ccg-40226
134. Component Of Presun 23 (salt/mix)
135. Component Of Presun 29 (salt/mix)
136. Component Of Presun 30 (salt/mix)
137. Nsc757260
138. S4691
139. Stk057962
140. Akos000120532
141. Tox21_110418_1
142. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 98%
143. Cs-3186
144. Db01428
145. Nsc-757260
146. Idi1_000184
147. Ncgc00016394-01
148. Ncgc00016394-02
149. Ncgc00016394-03
150. Ncgc00016394-04
151. Ncgc00016394-05
152. Ncgc00016394-06
153. Ncgc00016394-08
154. Ncgc00016394-10
155. Ncgc00065306-03
156. Ncgc00065306-04
157. Ncgc00065306-05
158. Ncgc00065306-06
159. Ncgc00256323-01
160. Ncgc00259534-01
161. Ac-11987
162. As-13616
163. Shade Uvaguard Component Oxybenzone
164. Sbi-0051470.p003
165. Ab00052063
166. Ft-0612546
167. H0266
168. Oxybenzone Component Of Shade Uvaguard
169. (2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)(phenyl) Methanone
170. D05309
171. Ab00052063_13
172. A934242
173. Ae-848/01549044
174. Q518114
175. Q-200287
176. Sr-01000610567-2
177. Sr-01000610567-4
178. Brd-k59037100-001-05-5
179. Brd-k59037100-001-09-7
180. Component Of Caraloe Snow & Sun Lip Balm (salt/mix)
181. Benzophenone 3;eusolex-4360;2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzone
182. Z1945708085
183. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone 100 Microg/ml In Methanol
184. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone 10 Microg/ml In Cyclohexane
185. Oxybenzone, United States Pharmacopeia (usp) Reference Standard
186. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, Certified Reference Material, Tracecert(r)
187. Oxybenzone, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
188. 1-(cyclopropylcarbonyl)-n-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethylindoline-5-sulfonamide
| Molecular Weight | 228.24 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C14H12O3 |
| XLogP3 | 3.6 |
| Hydrogen Bond Donor Count | 1 |
| Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count | 3 |
| Rotatable Bond Count | 3 |
| Exact Mass | 228.078644241 g/mol |
| Monoisotopic Mass | 228.078644241 g/mol |
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 46.5 Ų |
| Heavy Atom Count | 17 |
| Formal Charge | 0 |
| Complexity | 258 |
| Isotope Atom Count | 0 |
| Defined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Defined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count | 0 |
| Covalently Bonded Unit Count | 1 |
Sunscreening Agents.
National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings. Oxybenzone. Online file (MeSH, 2017). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2017/mesh_browser/MBrowser.html
/CLINICAL TRIALS/ ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry and results database of publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants conducted around the world. The Web site is maintained by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Each ClinicalTrials.gov record presents summary information about a study protocol and includes the following: Disease or condition; Intervention (for example, the medical product, behavior, or procedure being studied); Title, description, and design of the study; Requirements for participation (eligibility criteria); Locations where the study is being conducted; Contact information for the study locations; and Links to relevant information on other health Web sites, such as NLM's MedlinePlus for patient health information and PubMed for citations and abstracts for scholarly articles in the field of medicine. Oxybenzone is included in the database.
NIH/NLM; ClinicalTrials.Gov. Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://clinicaltrials.gov/
Ultraviolet screen.
O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013., p. 1290
Topical Sunscreen Agent providing UVA/UVB coverage and approved for use by the FDA at concentrations up to 6%.
Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2006.
For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (9 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
... /Benzophenone-3/ undergoes conjugation in the body to make it water soluble. However, we do not know at what age the ability to conjugate is fully developed, and therefore for children physical filters such as titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide might still be considered a more appropriate sunscreen component.
PMID:12472548 Gustavsson Gonzalez H et al; Clin Exp Dermatol 27 (8): 691-4 (2002)
The manufacturers of sunscreen preparations with propellants warn that concentrating and subsequently inhaling the fumes from these preparations may be harmful or fatal. /Propellants/
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017; Drug Information 2017. Bethesda, MD. 2017
Because the absorptive characteristics of skin of children younger than 6 months of age may differ from those of adults and because the immaturity of metabolic and excretory pathways of these children may limit their ability to eliminate any percutaneously absorbed sunscreen agent, sunscreen products should be used in children younger than 6 months of age only as directed by a clinician. It is possible that the characteristics of geriatric skin also differ from those of skin in younger adults, but these characteristics and the need for special considerations regarding use of sunscreen preparations in this age group are poorly understood. /Sunscreens/
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017; Drug Information 2017. Bethesda, MD. 2017
Little information is available regarding the safety of chronic sunscreen usage, but commercially available physical and chemical sunscreens appear to have a low incidence of adverse effects. Derivatives of PABA, benzophenone, cinnamic acid, and salicylate and 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid have caused skin irritation including burning, stinging, pruritus, and erythema on rare occasions. /Sunscreens/
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017; Drug Information 2017. Bethesda, MD. 2017
For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
Used as an ingredient in sunscreen and other cosmetics.
Oxybenzone is an organic compound used in sunscreens. It is a derivative of benzophenone.
Sunscreening Agents
Chemical or physical agents that protect the skin from sunburn and erythema by absorbing or blocking ultraviolet radiation. (See all compounds classified as Sunscreening Agents.)
Route of Elimination
In vivo studies show oxybenzone is abosorbed transdermally (through the skin) and is excreted in the urine.
...The disposition of Benzophenone-3 in rats dosed orally, intravenously and topically, has been investigated. (14)C-Benzophenone-3 was administered orally at dosages of 3, 28, 293 and 2570 mg/kg, dermally at approximate dosages of 0.2, 0.6, 0.8 and 3.2 mg/kg and intravenously at a dosage of 4.6 mg/kg. The dermal dosage of 0.6 mg/kg involved the use of a sunscreen lotion as vehicle, while the other dermal dosage levels concerned alcoholic solutions of the compound. Through all routes and dosages, Benzophenone-3 appeared to be well-absorbed and urinary secretion clearly showed to be the major route of elimination, followed by the fecal route. Only trace amounts appeared to be measured in tissues after 72 hours.
European Commission; Reports of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP): Benzophenone-3 Colipa No. S38 (131-57-7) p. 25 (2006). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_078.pdf
Benzophenone-3 formed part of a battery of five UV filters for which standard operating procedures for their rapid analysis in various skin layers, were established. Benzophenone-3 was included at 4.9% in a cosmetic formulation (composition not stated) applied at 3 mg/sq cm on fresh dermatomed (+/- 344 um) human skin (6 samples from different donors) put on static diffusion cells. The 3 mL receptor fluid (pH 7.4) was maintained at 32 C and consisted of 1% bovine serum albumin, 0.9% NaCl, 0.02% KCl and 0.04% gentamycin in distilled water. The transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was recorded at each site with a Tewameter. After an exposure time of 16 hours, the skin was washed and dried with cotton swabs. The receptor fluid was collected and 16 strippings were carried out on the skin surface to determine the stratum corneum (SC) content and subsequently the epidermis was separated from the dermis. Analysis was performed by isocratic RP-HPLC2 with UV detection. Benzophenone-3 quantification led to the following results: Total amount applied 147 ug/sq cm (3 mg cream/sq cm, 4.9% Benzophenone-3); Stratum corneum (SC) 8.5 +/- 3.3 ug/sq cm; Epidermis 0.3 +/- 0.2 ug/sq cm; Dermis 0.4 +/- 0.1 ug/sq cm; Receptor fluid 1.0 +/- 0.4 ug/sq cm; Washing solution 85.7% +/- 4.5%; Recovery 93.4% +/- 3.1%. The results indicate that the SC adsorbed the greatest proportion of the applied amount (5.8%), while about 0.5% was absorbed in the viable skin and 0.7% was analyzed in the receptor fluid. ... They estimate the dermal absorption of Benzophenone-3 in respect to bioavailability after topical application to freshly dermatomed human skin for 16 hours as 1.7 ug/sq cm (1.0 ug/sq cm receptor fluid, 0.4 ug/sq cm dermis, 0.3 ug/sq cm epidermis), corresponding to 1.16% of the applied dose.
European Commission; Reports of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP): Benzophenone-3 Colipa No. S38 (131-57-7) p. 10 (2006). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_078.pdf
The results of a study investigating the urinary content of Benzophenone-3 after topical application to human volunteers can be considered as an indication for low bioavailability. A commercial available sunscreen containing 4% Benzophenone-3 was topically applied in an amount of 40 g to the average body area of 2.0 sq m of each of 11 volunteers and urine samples were collected subsequently during 48 hours. Although the urine is known as the major excretion route for absorbed and bioavailable material, only 0.4% (corresponding a median of 9.8 mg/volunteer) of the applied Benzophenone-3 dose was recovered in the urine within the 48 hours sampling period.
European Commission; Reports of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP): Benzophenone-3 Colipa No. S38 (131-57-7) p. 26 (2006). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_078.pdf
In this study, 32 volunteers were treated with 2 mg/sq cm of a basic cream formulation on a daily basis for 4 days during the first week, followed by the same treatment regime with a sunscreen containing 30% of UV-filters in total (10% 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor, 10% Benzophenone-3 and 10% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) during the second week. Blood was collected at several time intervals on the first day of treatment and subsequently on a daily basis. All three compounds were detected in their parent forms both in plasma (Benzophenone-3 up to 300 ng/mL) and urine, showing that there is a substantial skin penetration, dermal uptake and urinary excretion in humans.
European Commission; Reports of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP): Benzophenone-3 Colipa No. S38 (131-57-7) p. 26 (2006). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_078.pdf
For more Absorption, Distribution and Excretion (Complete) data for 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (22 total), please visit the HSDB record page.
...The metabolism and disposition of Benzophenone-3 when administered orally in rats and mice and dermally in the rat at a uniform single dosage of 100 mg/kg bw /were described/. The same metabolites /were/ detected in all cases: 2,4-Dihydroxybenzone (DHB), 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzone (DHMB) and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (THB). They have been identified in their free and conjugated (glucuronidated or sulfonated) forms.
European Commission; Reports of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP): Benzophenone-3 Colipa No. S38 (131-57-7) p. 26 (2006). Available from, as of July 6, 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_078.pdf
Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) is widely used as sunscreen for protection of human skin and hair from damage by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this study, we examined the metabolism of BP-3 by rat and human liver microsomes, and the estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities of the metabolites. When BP-3 was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,4,5-triOH BP) and 3-hydroxylated BP-3 (3-OH BP-3) were newly identified as metabolites, together with previously detected metabolites 5-hydroxylated BP-3 (5-OH BP-3), a 4-desmethylated metabolite (2,4-diOH BP) and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,3,4-triOH BP). In studies with recombinant rat cytochrome P450, 3-OH BP-3 and 2,4,5-triOH BP were mainly formed by CYP1A1. BP-3 was also metabolized by human liver microsomes and CYP isoforms. In estrogen reporter (ER) assays using estrogen-responsive CHO cells, 2,4-diOH BP exhibited stronger estrogenic activity, 2,3,4-triOH BP exhibited similar activity, and 5-OH BP-3, 2,4,5-triOH BP and 3-OH BP-3 showed lower activity as compared to BP-3. Structural requirements for activity were investigated in a series of 14 BP-3 derivatives. When BP-3 was incubated with liver microsomes from untreated rats or phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene-, or acetone-treated rats in the presence of NADPH, estrogenic activity was increased. However, liver microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats showed decreased estrogenic activity due to formation of inactive 5-OH BP-3 and reduced formation of active 2,4-diOH BP. Anti-androgenic activity of BP-3 was decreased after incubation with liver microsomes.
PMID:25528284 Watanabe Y et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 282 (2): 119-28 (2015)
... This study was performed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) after oral administration at 100 mg/kg bw in male Sprague-Dawley rats. ... Urine and feces analysis indicate that urine was the major route of excretion, followed by feces. Further analysis of urine samples also indicates that conjugation of BZ-3 with glucuronic acid was the major systemic elimination route for the compound.
PMID:7782565 Kadry AM et al; J Appl Toxicol 15 (2): 97-102 (1995)
... The disposition of benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) was investigated after dermal administration of 100 mg/kg bw in Sprague-Dawley rats. ... Three metabolites were identified in plasma, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB) and 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (DHMB) were the major metabolites detected in the plasma, while 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (THB) was detected in trace amounts. Tissue distribution studies revealed that THB was the major metabolite followed by DHB (both free and conjugated) in all tissues examined. The liver contained the highest amount followed by the kidney, spleen and testes, respectively.
PMID:8048080 Okereke CS et al; Toxicol Lett 73 (2): 113-22 (1994)
Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) is widely used as sunscreen for protection of human skin and hair from damage by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In this study, we examined the metabolism of BP-3 by rat and human liver microsomes, and the estrogenic and anti-androgenic activities of the metabolites. When BP-3 was incubated with rat liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH, 2,4,5-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,4,5-triOH BP) and 3-hydroxylated BP-3 (3-OH BP-3) were newly identified as metabolites, together with previously detected metabolites 5-hydroxylated BP-3 (5-OH BP-3), a 4-desmethylated metabolite (2,4-diOH BP) and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (2,3,4-triOH BP). In studies with recombinant rat cytochrome P450, 3-OH BP-3 and 2,4,5-triOH BP were mainly formed by CYP1A1. BP-3 was also metabolized by human liver microsomes and CYP isoforms. In estrogen reporter (ER) assays using estrogen-responsive CHO cells, 2,4-diOH BP exhibited stronger estrogenic activity, 2,3,4-triOH BP exhibited similar activity, and 5-OH BP-3, 2,4,5-triOH BP and 3-OH BP-3 showed lower activity as compared to BP-3. Structural requirements for activity were investigated in a series of 14 BP-3 derivatives. When BP-3 was incubated with liver microsomes from untreated rats or phenobarbital-, 3-methylcholanthrene-, or acetone-treated rats in the presence of NADPH, estrogenic activity was increased. However, liver microsomes from dexamethasone-treated rats showed decreased estrogenic activity due to formation of inactive 5-OH BP-3 and reduced formation of active 2,4-diOH BP. Anti-androgenic activity of BP-3 was decreased after incubation with liver microsomes.
PMID:25528284 Watanabe Y et al; Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 282 (2): 119-28 (2015)
... This study was performed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) after oral administration at 100 mg/kg bw in male Sprague-Dawley rats. ... The elimination pattern was biphasic with alpha and beta half-lives of elimination of 0.88 and 15.90 hr, respectively.
PMID:7782565 Kadry AM et al; J Appl Toxicol 15 (2): 97-102 (1995)
... The disposition of benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) was investigated after dermal administration of 100 mg/kg bw in Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood samples were collected at various intervals and the parent compound and its metabolites were analyzed by HPLC. Absorption was rapid ... The half-life of absorption was 3.45 hr... . Disappearance from the plasma was biphasic with different half-lives (1.3 for alpha phase and 15.05 hr for beta phase) ... .
PMID:8048080 Okereke CS et al; Toxicol Lett 73 (2): 113-22 (1994)
Oxybenzone absorbs UV-A ultraviolet rays, preventing them from reaching the skin.
Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is neonatal intestinal abnormality which derived from the failure of enteric neural crest cells migration to hindgut during embryogenesis from 5 to 12 weeks. Currently, the knowledge of environmental factors contributing to HSCR is still scarce. Benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is one of the most widely used UV filters, and has weak estrogen and strong anti-androgenic effects. In order to examine the effect of maternal BP-3 exposure on development of offspring and explore the potential mechanism, we conducted case and control study and in vitro study. In this work, BP-3 concentrations in maternal urine was detected by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Besides, we investigated the cytotoxicity and receptor tyrosine kinase (RET) expression in cells exposed to BP-3. The results showed that maternal BP-3 exposure was associated with offspring's HSCR in the population as well as inhibited migration of 293T and SH-SY5Y cells. What's more, we discovered dose-response relationship between RET expression and BP-3 exposure dose, and miR-218 and some other genes involved in SLIT2/ROBO1-miR-218-RET/PLAG1 pathway were also related to BP-3 exposure. Therefore, we deduced that BP-3 influenced cell migration via SLIT2/ROBO1-miR-218-RET/PLAG1 pathway. Our study firstly revealed the relationship between maternal BP-3 exposure and HSCR as well as its potential mechanism.
PMID:26454118 Huo W et al; Chemosphere 144: 1091-7 (2016)
Diminish the penetration of ultraviolet (UV) light through the epidermis by absorbing UV radiation within a specific wavelength range. The amount and wavelength of UV radiation absorbed are affected by the molecular structure of the sunscreen agent. /Sunscreen agents, topical/
Thomson/Micromedex. Drug Information for the Health Care Professional. Volume 1, Greenwood Village, CO. 2006.
Radiation is absorbed by chemical sunscreens when the electron energy level of the drug is raised from its ground state to a higher energy level or excited state. Chromophore groups (C=C, C=O, O-N=O) with loosely held electrons are easily excited by radiation. Compounds which have several chromophore groups in optimal positions have high absorbance over a broad range of wavelengths. Chemical sunscreens are usually agents that absorb not less than 85% of UVB radiation (thus preventing burning) but may permit transmission of UVA radiation (thus allowing tanning). Some sunscreens may absorb wavelengths over a range that is slightly wider or narrower than that of UVB. All PABA derivatives absorb wavelengths of approximately 290-320 nm, benzophenone derivatives absorb wavelengths of approximately 250-360 nm, cinnamic acid derivatives absorb wavelengths of 280-320 nm, and salicylate derivatives and other miscellaneous chemical sunscreens absorb wavelengths of about 270-320 nm.
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017; Drug Information 2017. Bethesda, MD. 2017
The wavelength to which the skin is maximally sensitive had been accepted for many years to be 296.7 nm; however, recent evidence suggests that the most erythemogenic UVB wavelength may be slightly lower (e.g., somewhere in the range of 292-295 nm). In addition, of the stronger burning wavelengths that reach the earth's surface, most are approximately 310 nm. Therefore, sunscreens that maximally absorb UVB radiation near either of these wavelengths are particularly effective at preventing sunburn. Maximum absorbance occurs at about 290 nm for PABA, at about 295 nm for glyceryl-p-aminobenzoate, and at about 310 nm for the remaining PABA derivatives. Maximum absorbance occurs at 280-290 nm for benzophenone derivatives, at 310 nm for cinnamic acid derivatives with the exception of diethanolamine-p-methoxycinnamate which has its maximum absorbance at 290 nm, and at 300-305 nm for salicylate derivatives and other miscellaneous sunscreens. /Sunscreens/
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2017; Drug Information 2017. Bethesda, MD. 2017
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