oxybenzone

American  

[ahk-see-ben-zohn] / ˌɑk siˈbɛnˌzoʊn /

noun

1. a compound belonging to a class of aromatic ketones and used in sunblock to absorb UVB and UVA radiation.

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oxybenzone Scientific  

/ ŏk′sē-bĕn′zōn /

1. A colorless crystalline compound that is a derivative of benzophenone and is sometimes used in sunscreens. Chemical formula: C ₁₄ H ₁₂ O ₃ .

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Example Sentences

While there are some ingredients in suntan lotions - like oxybenzone - that can cause environmental damage to coral reefs, there is not evidence to suggest it poses a risk to humans, Dr McCann says.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2025

“Certain chemical sunscreens are typically associated with skin allergies or irritation, including those with oxybenzone, cinnamates and octocrylene,” Patel says.

From Scientific American • Sep. 6, 2023

Active ingredients in chemical sunscreen are carbon-based and include compounds such as avobenzone and oxybenzone.

From Scientific American • Sep. 6, 2023

Downs himself has published a number of papers on this, including a 2015 study suggesting that oxybenzone and octinoxate could contribute to the bleaching of Hawaiian reefs.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2022

In most cases, the term is used when a product doesn’t have either oxybenzone or octinoxate.

From Washington Post • Aug. 1, 2022