Oxybenzone Sunscreen

Chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone.

57Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapMineral (zinc oxide) sunscreen

How this score is built

100Start
81.6Chemical hazard 4 × 4.6−18.4
64.6Everyday exposure 5 × 3.4−17
57Persistence 3 × 2.6−7.8, then rounded to 57
ModerateThe band57 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	4/10	unsourced input
Everyday exposure	5/10	In a randomised trial of 48 adults applying sunscreen to 75% of the body, oxybenzone reached geometric mean peak plasma concentrations of 258.1 ng/mL (lotion) and 180.1 ng/mL (aerosol spray), above the FDA's 0.5 ng/mL threshold after a single application. Effect of Sunscreen Application on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial · JAMA 2020 DOI 10.1001/jama.2019.20747 · PMID 31961417 · Abstract, Results · read 2026-10-16
Persistence	3/10	unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

Oxybenzone absorbs through skin and is an environmental concern. Mineral sunscreens protect just as well without it — and sunscreen itself stays essential.

Evidence strength: moderate

See where your whole exposure load is highest — free Exposure Score →

This entry and the whole Index, on your phone.

Lower-exposure choices

Fragrance-Free Basic SkincareMinimal · Personal Care

All 33 personal care entries, highest burden first →