Monograph: |
Oxybenzone
A pale yellow powder. Practically insoluble in water; freely
soluble in alcohol and in toluene. Store in airtight, containers.
Protect from light.
Oxybenzone is a substituted benzophenone used by topical
application as a sunscreen. Benzophenones effectively absorb
light throughout the UVB range (wavelengths 290 lo 320 nm)
and also absorb some UVA light with wavelengths of 320 to
about 360 nm and some UVC light with wavelengths of about
250 to 290 nm (for definitions, see above). Benzophenones
may therefore be used to prevent sunburn and may also pro-
vide some protection against drug-related or other photosen-
sitivity reactions associated with UVA light: in practice they
are usually combined with a sunscreen from another group.
Contact and photocontact allergic dermatitis has occasionally
been reported following the topical administration of benzo-
phenone sunscreens.
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