Ingredient
Benzophenone-1
Benzophenone-1 is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, PCOS, postpartum and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is endocrine disruptor and absorbed into the body.
- BP-1
- 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone
Verdict by profile
Truva checks every ingredient against six profiles. Jump to any of them for the full assessment.
- Strongest verdict
- Not Recommended
- Its verdict for pregnancy, the profile this one is worst in
- Profiles flagged
- 6 of 6
- Counting avoid, high risk and medium risk
- Irritancy
- 2 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Benzophenone-1 and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Endocrine disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Benzophenone-1 is a chemical UV filter and product stabilizer that belongs to the benzophenone family. These compounds are used to protect cosmetic formulations from UV degradation and sometimes function as sunscreen ingredients. According to ECHA and the SCCS, benzophenones are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can interfere with hormone function. Studies have demonstrated that benzophenones are absorbed through the skin and can be detected systemically in urine samples. Research on related benzophenones (particularly benzophenone-3/oxybenzone) has shown associations with hormonal disruption and potential developmental concerns. While benzophenone-1 is less studied than its cousins, it shares similar chemical structure and absorption properties, raising parallel concerns during pregnancy when fetal development is particularly vulnerable to hormonal disruption. Most dermatologists and obstetricians recommend avoiding benzophenone compounds during pregnancy due to endocrine disruption concerns. While not explicitly prohibited like retinoids, the evidence of hormonal activity and systemic absorption makes this ingredient one that healthcare providers typically advise pregnant women to avoid. Safer UV-protecting alternatives include mineral sunscreens and non-benzophenone stabilizers.
Benzophenone-1 and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Passes into breast milk
- Endocrine disruptor
Benzophenone-1 is a chemical compound that can be absorbed through the skin and has been detected in human biological samples including urine and blood. The benzophenone family has documented systemic absorption when applied topically. According to research on related benzophenones, these compounds can potentially transfer to breast milk due to their chemical properties and demonstrated presence in biological fluids. The SCCS has raised concerns about benzophenones as endocrine disruptors, and exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals during infancy is particularly concerning due to the vulnerability of developing endocrine systems. While specific data on benzophenone-1 transfer to breast milk is limited, the chemical similarity to well-studied benzophenones and the documented systemic absorption create a reasonable concern. Most dermatologists recommend that breastfeeding mothers avoid benzophenone compounds due to potential endocrine disruption and the possibility of infant exposure through milk. Safer alternatives for UV protection include mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Benzophenone-1 and postpartum
Caution Advised
- Endocrine disruptor
- Common allergen
Benzophenone-1 has endocrine-disrupting potential according to ECHA and the SCCS. For postpartum women not breastfeeding, the primary concerns are hormonal interference and allergic sensitivity rather than infant exposure. During the postpartum period, many women experience hormonal fluctuations as the body returns to pre-pregnancy states. While not an absolute contraindication, using ingredients with endocrine-disrupting potential during this hormonally sensitive time may be best avoided in favor of alternatives without these concerns. The ingredient may also cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Benzophenone-1 and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Endocrine disruptor
- Fertility effects
Benzophenone-1 is an endocrine-disrupting chemical according to ECHA and the SCCS. Research on benzophenones has raised concerns about their potential effects on reproductive health and hormonal balance. Women trying to conceive are often advised to minimize exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, as these substances can potentially affect fertility and early pregnancy development. While direct evidence linking benzophenone-1 to infertility is limited, the documented hormonal interference and systemic absorption make it prudent to avoid during the conception period. Many reproductive endocrinologists recommend reducing exposure to known endocrine disruptors when trying to conceive.
Benzophenone-1 and PCOS
Not Recommended
- Endocrine disruptor
- Interferes with hormones
Benzophenone-1 belongs to a family of chemicals identified as endocrine disruptors by ECHA and the SCCS. These compounds can interfere with hormone signaling, particularly in estrogen pathways. For women with PCOS, who already experience hormonal imbalances involving androgen excess and often insulin resistance, avoiding endocrine-disrupting chemicals is particularly important. According to research, environmental endocrine disruptors can exacerbate hormonal dysregulation. While topical exposure is lower than dietary exposure, women with PCOS are often advised to minimize exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals where possible. Many dermatologists and endocrinologists recommend that women with PCOS avoid benzophenone compounds due to their potential to interfere with already-disrupted hormonal balance. Mineral-based UV filters offer safer alternatives.
Benzophenone-1 and general use
Caution Advised
- Endocrine disruptor
- Common allergen
Benzophenone-1 is a chemical UV filter and product stabilizer used in cosmetics and sunscreens. It belongs to the benzophenone family, which includes several compounds used for UV protection and formulation stability. According to the SCCS and ECHA, benzophenones have been identified as potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Research has shown that benzophenones can be absorbed through the skin and detected systemically, raising concerns about hormonal interference. Studies on related compounds like benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) have demonstrated estrogenic activity and potential reproductive effects. Additionally, benzophenone-1 is a known contact allergen that can cause allergic dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The EU restricts benzophenone-1 to a maximum concentration of 0.5% in cosmetics. Due to endocrine disruption concerns, many consumers and dermatologists prefer mineral-based UV filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) or newer organic filters without benzophenone structures. While not banned, this ingredient is increasingly viewed with caution in the skincare community.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Benzophenone-1, each one with its own page here.
Ingredients that raise the same concerns.
Where this came from
Truva summarises published guidance from bodies including ACOG, the FDA, the EU SCCS and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. It has no access to your medical history and it is not a substitute for your doctor, dermatologist or midwife. These assessments have not been reviewed by a clinician, and nothing here is a diagnosis or a prescription. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for PCOS, take the ingredient list to the person looking after you.
Assessment last pulled from the ingredient database on .
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A label has thirty of them. Truva reads the whole list at once and answers for the profile you set: pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum, trying to conceive, PCOS, or general use.
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