Ingredient

BENZOPHENONE-1

Name / description

2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone

Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

LIGHT STABILIZER

Protecting the cosmetic product from deterioration effects of light

UV ABSORBER

Protects the cosmetic product from damage caused by UV light

Origin

synthetic

Occurrence in cosmetics

As a UV absorber for the protection of eg fragrances, colourants and light-sensitive ingredients in products such as perfumes and soaps and for the protection of plastics packaging against UV radiation

Occurrence in other products

As a photo initiator in UV hardening applications (such as inks and coatings in the printing industry)

Why are we talking about it?

Benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-2 are suspected of being endocrine disruptors. They are also suspected of polluting surface waters and of endangering aquatic organisms. The facts: According to in vitro studies, benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-2 could have some effects on oestrogens and androgens. Benzophenone-2 is also believed to have effects on the thyroid axis. However, in vivo data are insufficient to confirm or refute their endocrine disrupting activity. New evaluations are underway. A balanced scientific assessment should not only be based on the in vitro evidence of an ebndocrine activity, but should rather also consider potency and human exposure under cosmetic use conditions.It should be mentioned, that sufficiently sensitive in vitro assays have identified endocrine activity of e. g. soybean ingredients (isoflavones), whereas scientific and regulatory experts have not expressed safety concerns with regard to ingestion of soybean based food. Key points to take away: These substances are rarely, if ever, used in cosmetics. Further studies are needed for a scientifically sound assessment of a possible endocrine disrupting potential of benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-2. With regard to environmental effects, benzophenone-1 is biodegradable and accumulates only insignificantly in aquatic organisms. No environmental data are available for benzophenone-2.

Belongs to the following substance groups

Stabilisers

Sunscreens / UV filters

Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.

Understanding your cosmetics

How are cosmetics kept safe in Europe?

Strict laws make sure that cosmetics and personal care products sold in the European Union are safe for people to use. Companies, national and European regulatory authorities share the responsibility of keeping cosmetic products safe.

What should I know about endocrine disruptors?

Some ingredients used in cosmetic products have been claimed to be ‘endocrine disruptors’ because they have the potential to mimic some of the properties of our hormones. Just because something has the potential to mimic a hormone does not mean it will disrupt our endocrine system. Many substances, including natural ones, mimic hormones but very few, and these are mostly potent medicines, have ever been shown to cause disruption of the endocrine system. The rigorous product safety assessments by qualified, scientific experts that companies are legally obliged to carry out cover all potential risks, including potential endocrine disruption.

Are cosmetics tested on animals? No!

In the European Union, testing cosmetics on animals has been fully banned since 2013. Over the last 30 years, long before a ban was in place, the cosmetics and personal care industry has invested in research and development to pioneer alternatives to animal testing tools to assess the safety of cosmetics ingredients and products.

What about allergens in cosmetics?

Many substances, natural or man-made, have the potential to cause an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances that are harmless to most people. A substance that causes an allergic reaction is called an allergen. Cosmetics and personal care products may contain ingredients that can be allergenic for some people. This does not mean that the product is not safe for others to use.

Database

Cosmetics matter to people and play an important role in our everyday life. On average European consumers use over seven different cosmetics daily. You too? It’s only natural that you want to know more about the ingredients in those products.

In the digital world we live in, there’s a deluge of information on cosmetics. However, it can be difficult to know which sources are reliable. COSMILE Europe is a European cosmetic ingredient database that offers reliable, verified and scientifically supported information on almost 30,000 ingredients used in cosmetics.

This database will help you understand why certain ingredients are in your cosmetic products; which properties they have and much more. The database is currently available in fourteen languages with more to come.

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