Percutaneous absorption of the sunscreen benzophenone-3 after repeated whole-body applications, with and without ultraviolet irradiation
- 18 November 2005
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in British Journal of Dermatology
- Vol. 154 (2), 337-340
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.07007.x
Abstract
Background Benzophenone-3 (BZ-3; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, oxybenzone) is commonly used to absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation. BZ-3 penetrates the skin and can be found in the urine. The amount varies between 0·4% and 2%. This seems to be the main metabolic pathway in rats. Objectives To investigate the total amount of BZ-3 excreted in the urine after repeated topical whole-body applications of a sunscreen and to see if UV radiation has any effect on the amount excreted. Methods Twenty-five volunteers applied a commercially available sunscreen containing 4% BZ-3 morning and night for 5 days. Their urine was measured during those 5 days and during a further 5 days after the last application. They were divided into groups A (unirradiated) and B. Group B received UV radiation according to skin type: UVA between 400 and 707 J cm−2, and UVB between 0·46 and 2·0 J cm−2. BZ-3 in urine was analysed with a high-performance liquid chromatography method. Results The volunteers excreted 1·2–8·7% (mean 3·7%) of the total amount of BZ-3 applied. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P < 0·99, t-test). Conclusions We show that a large amount of BZ-3 is absorbed. BZ-3 is accumulated in the body as the volunteers excreted BZ-3 5 days after the last application.This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit:
- Systemic Absorption of the Sunscreens Benzophenone-3, Octyl-Methoxycinnamate, and 3-(4-Methyl-Benzylidene) Camphor After Whole-Body Topical Application and Reproductive Hormone Levels in HumansJournal of Investigative Dermatology, 2004
- Liquid chromatographic assay for common sunscreen agents: application to in vivo assessment of skin penetration and systemic absorption in human volunteersJournal of Chromatography B, 2004
- Percutaneous absorption of benzophenone-3, a common component of topical sunscreensClinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2002
- The historical aspects of sunscreensJournal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 2001
- In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of UV screens.Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001
- A full‐UV spectrum absorbing daily use cream protects human skin against biological changes occurring in photoagingPhotodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2000
- Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trialThe Lancet, 1999
- Systemic absorption of sunscreen after topical applicationThe Lancet, 1997
- High-performance liquid chromatographic assay for common sunscreening agents in cosmetic products, bovine serum albumin solution and human plasmaJournal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications, 1996
- Development and validation of a highperformance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of benzophenone-3 in ratsJournal of Applied Toxicology, 1992