Ingredient
Benzophenone-5
Benzophenone-5 is flagged for pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, postpartum, PCOS and general use. The concern behind the strongest flag is endocrine disruptor and absorbed into the body.
- Sulisobenzone Sodium
- Sodium Benzophenone-5 Sulfonate
- BP-5
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
- 1 of 5
- Higher means more likely to sting or redden
Benzophenone-5 and pregnancy
Not Recommended
- Endocrine disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
- Fetal development
Benzophenone-5 is a chemical UV filter in the benzophenone family, used in sunscreens to absorb ultraviolet radiation. Unlike some chemical filters that are oil-soluble, benzophenone-5 is water-soluble, making it popular in lightweight formulations. According to research published in endocrinology journals, benzophenones have demonstrated estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity in laboratory studies. While benzophenone-5 is considered less lipophilic than benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone), it still shows systemic absorption after topical application. Studies have detected benzophenone compounds in maternal urine during pregnancy, raising concerns about potential fetal exposure during critical developmental windows. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that pregnant women should be cautious with chemical sunscreens that have endocrine-disrupting potential. Most dermatologists and obstetricians recommend that pregnant women choose mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) over chemical filters from the benzophenone family. The Environmental Working Group and several maternal health organizations suggest avoiding benzophenones during pregnancy due to hormone disruption concerns and documented systemic absorption. While not explicitly prohibited, the precautionary principle applies given the known endocrine activity of this chemical class.
Benzophenone-5 and breastfeeding
Not Recommended
- Passes into breast milk
- Endocrine disruptor
- Infant exposure
Benzophenone-5 belongs to the benzophenone family of chemical UV filters. While it's water-soluble (unlike benzophenone-3), research shows that benzophenone compounds can still achieve systemic circulation after topical application. Studies have detected benzophenone metabolites in breast milk samples, indicating that these compounds can transfer to breastfed infants. Given that benzophenones have demonstrated endocrine-disrupting properties in research, there is concern about infant exposure during a critical period of hormonal development. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that breastfeeding mothers should be particularly cautious with ingredients that show both systemic absorption and hormone-like activity. While benzophenone-5 has less lipophilicity than other family members, the combination of detectable milk transfer and endocrine activity raises safety concerns. Most pediatric dermatologists and lactation consultants recommend that breastfeeding mothers opt for mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) instead of chemical filters from the benzophenone family. This recommendation is based on the precautionary principle, as mineral filters sit on the skin surface with minimal absorption rather than being absorbed systemically. If sun protection is needed during breastfeeding, physical blockers are considered the safest choice.
Benzophenone-5 and postpartum
Caution Advised
- Endocrine disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Benzophenone-5 is a water-soluble chemical UV filter used in sunscreen formulations. For postpartum women who are not breastfeeding, the primary concerns relate to the ingredient's endocrine-disrupting potential rather than infant exposure. Research has shown that benzophenones can exhibit estrogenic activity and achieve systemic absorption. For women in the postpartum period who may be experiencing hormonal fluctuations, some dermatologists suggest being cautious with ingredients that have hormone-like activity. However, the concerns are less acute than during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Many women choose mineral sunscreens during the postpartum period as a precautionary measure, though this ingredient is not considered an absolute avoid for non-breastfeeding individuals.
Benzophenone-5 and trying to conceive
Not Recommended
- Endocrine disruptor
- Fertility effects
- Hormone disruptor
Benzophenone-5 is a water-soluble chemical UV filter found in sunscreens and cosmetics with SPF protection. For women trying to conceive, the concern centers on this ingredient's potential to disrupt hormonal balance during the critical preconception period. Research has demonstrated that benzophenones have estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity, and studies have shown these compounds can be detected systemically after topical use. Some fertility specialists and reproductive endocrinologists recommend that women trying to conceive minimize exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, as hormonal balance is crucial for ovulation, implantation, and early pregnancy. While direct evidence linking topical benzophenone-5 to fertility issues is limited, the precautionary principle suggests avoiding ingredients with known hormone activity during the preconception period. Many fertility clinics include chemical sunscreen avoidance in their preconception counseling.
Benzophenone-5 and PCOS
Caution Advised
- Endocrine disruptor
- Interferes with hormones
Benzophenone-5 is a chemical UV filter that provides sun protection in skincare products. Women with PCOS already experience hormonal imbalances, primarily involving elevated androgens and insulin resistance. The benzophenone family has demonstrated both estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity in laboratory studies. For women with PCOS who are managing hormone-sensitive conditions, ingredients with endocrine-disrupting potential may theoretically interfere with hormonal balance. While topical application involves lower exposure than systemic routes, some endocrinologists and dermatologists who specialize in PCOS recommend that women with this condition avoid chemical sunscreens with known hormone activity. Many practitioners who work with PCOS patients suggest using mineral-based sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) instead, as these provide effective sun protection without endocrine-disrupting concerns. This recommendation is particularly relevant for women with PCOS who are already working to balance their hormones through diet, medication, or lifestyle changes.
Benzophenone-5 and general use
Caution Advised
- Endocrine disruptor
- Absorbed into the body
Benzophenone-5 is a chemical sunscreen ingredient that absorbs UVB and short UVA radiation. It's water-soluble, making it useful in lightweight, non-greasy sunscreen formulations. The ingredient is approved for use in cosmetics in both the EU (up to 5%) and the US. The primary concern with benzophenone-5 and related compounds is their potential for endocrine disruption. Studies have shown that benzophenones can exhibit estrogenic activity and can be detected in urine after topical application, indicating systemic absorption. The FDA has requested additional safety data for chemical sunscreen ingredients, including benzophenones. Some environmental health organizations, including the Environmental Working Group, recommend avoiding benzophenone compounds due to hormone disruption concerns. For the general public, regulatory bodies have not banned benzophenone-5, and it remains widely used in commercial sunscreens. However, growing awareness of endocrine-disrupting chemicals has led many dermatologists to recommend mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) as a precautionary alternative, particularly for daily use. The choice often comes down to individual preference and risk tolerance, as mineral and chemical sunscreens both provide effective UV protection.
Everything else flagged for the same profiles
Related ingredients
Ingredients suggested in place of Benzophenone-5, 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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