A cosmetic additive-Benzophenone

Description

Benzophenone is a colorless crystalline solid with a geranium- or rose-like odor that occurs naturally in grapes and other fruits. Benzophenone is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5)2CO, generally abbreviated Ph2CO. It is a white solid that is soluble in organic solvents.

Use

Benzophenone was introduced in the 1970s and has become one of the most popular photocrosslinkers because of its selectivity and high reactivity toward methionine. Benzophenone-based photoaffinity probes are usually activated with light at wavelengths around 350–360 nm, which limits protein degradation and enables studies on cell cultures or other living systems. In addition, Benzophenone is used as a flavor ingredient, a fragrance enhancer, a perfume fixative, and an additive for plastics, coatings, and adhesive formulations; it is also used in the manufacture of insecticides, agricultural chemicals, hypnotic drugs, antihistamines, and other pharmaceuticals[1].

In skincare products like soap and lip balm, Benzophenone helps prevent other ingredients from degrading under UV light, protecting the product’s color and scent. Oxybenzone, a benzophenone derivative, is also an ingredient in many sunscreens due to its ability to absorb harmful UV rays.

Safety

Benzophenone (BP) is an ultraviolet filter (UVF) widely used in personal care products such as sunscreens and cosmetics. Excessive exposure to BP-type UVFs is a potential threat to human health because of their endocrine-disrupting activity. It has been proposed that daily exposure to so-called endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which can alter the homeostasis of the endocrine system and are associated with multiple adverse effects, may play a vital role in the onset and progression of endometriosis. Cosmetics and personal care products (PCPs) have been found to release numerous EDCs. Most EDCs released by cosmetics and PCPs belong to the benzophenone (BP) and paraben (PB) families. BPs include BP-1, BP-3, and 4-hydroxy Benzophenone (4-OH-BP) and are widely used in sunscreens and cosmetics as UV filters. Peinado et al. found that the frequency of cosmetics and PCP utilization is a strong predictor strongly predicts certain benzophenone and paraben congeners[2]. These compounds may increase the risk of endometriosis in an oxidative stress-independent manner.

References

[1] Ashley R Heurung. “Benzophenones.” Dermatitis 25.1 (2014).

[2] F.M. Peinado . “Cosmetic and personal care product use, urinary levels of parabens and benzophenones, and risk of endometriosis: results from the EndEA study.” Environmental Research 196 (2021): Article 110342.