Is Benzophenone-4 Safe During Pregnancy? UV Filter Risk Context and Practical Alternatives #

Benzophenone-4 is a UV filter and formula stabiliser used in certain sunscreen and cosmetic products. It sits within the broader benzophenone filter group, which is why it is often discussed alongside other chemical UV filters in pregnancy-safety conversations.

Why MamaSkin marks benzophenone-4 as medium risk #

In our ingredient model, benzophenone-4 is currently marked medium risk. The reason is precautionary: biomonitoring studies have detected benzophenone compounds in human fluids, and endocrine-active signals have been reported in experimental and observational research. Our ingredient row states that direct clinical relevance in pregnancy is not definitively established, but precautionary guidance often recommends minimising exposure.

So this is treated as a caution ingredient in pregnancy-focused scoring rather than an automatic high-risk ingredient on its own.

Quick summary: In our model, benzophenone-4 is currently medium risk, and we found it in 576 products in our latest snapshot.

What is Benzophenone-4? #

Benzophenone-4 is a sunscreen-related filter or UV-protection ingredient used in SPF formulas.

Data snapshot for benzophenone-4 #

• Ingredient risk band: medium risk
• Products containing this ingredient in our current snapshot: 576
• Product band split for these products: no known risks 0, low risk 0, medium risk 538, high risk 38

Why benzophenone-4 can change the final product verdict #

MamaSkin scores products ingredient-by-ingredient, then applies band-first logic so the riskiest ingredients meaningfully influence the final verdict. This means two products containing benzophenone-4 can still land in different final bands depending on the rest of the formula. That is why product-level checks are more useful than ingredient-only assumptions.

Product examples containing benzophenone-4 #

Want the full list? These are example products from our current snapshot, not every product we track. In the MamaSkin app you can search and scan many more products, including newly updated formulas.

Lower-risk examples in our snapshot #

• No no-known-risk or low-risk examples were available in this current snapshot.

Medium-risk examples in our snapshot #

• Eucerin Redness Relief Cleansing Gel by Eucerin (score 47, medium risk).
• Pravana Intense Therapy Leave-In Treatment by Pravana (score 47, medium risk).
• Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl by Benefit Cosmetics (score 47, medium risk).
• Sereese Beauty Sun Milk SPF 50 PA+++ 0% White Cast by Sereese Beauty (score 47, medium risk).
• Baxter of California After Shave Balm by Baxter of California (score 47, medium risk).
• REDKEN Clay Pomade by REDKEN (score 47, medium risk).
• Adcos Filtro Solar Ultra FPS 55 Gel Creme by Adcos (score 47, medium risk).
• SexyHair Healthy Sexy Hair Tri-Wheat Leave-In Conditioner by SexyHair (score 47, medium risk).

High-risk examples in our snapshot #

• Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream by Oribe (score 26, high risk).
• Oribe Signature Conditioner by Oribe (score 26, high risk).
• Pond's Vitamin Micellar Water Brightening Rose by Pond's (score 26, high risk).
• Philosophy Time In A Bottle Vitamin 100% In Control Serum by Philosophy (score 26, high risk).
• Oribe Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray by Oribe (score 26, high risk).
• Makarizo Hair Energy Scentsations by Makarizo (score 26, high risk).
• L'Oreal EverPure Volume Sulfate Free Shampoo For Fine Hair by L'Oreal (score 26, high risk).
• Oribe Conditioner For Brilliance & Shine by Oribe (score 26, high risk).

Practical guidance #

• Check the full INCI list, not only one ingredient in isolation.
• Avoid stacking several medium/high-risk actives in the same routine while pregnant.
• Re-check formulas over time, because reformulations can change risk banding.

FAQs #

• Is benzophenone-4 safe during pregnancy? In our ingredient model, benzophenone-4 is currently classified as medium risk. Product-level context still matters.
• Why is benzophenone-4 flagged in some products? Risk banding reflects hazard, mechanism, and exposure context in our dataset, then rolls up into product-level scoring.
• How can I check products containing benzophenone-4? Use the MamaSkin app to scan ingredients and see the full list of products currently indexed with updated banding.

Important notes #

• Formulations can change by region and over time.
• This guide is informational only and not medical advice.
• Always check the exact ingredient list on the product you use.

Read next #

• Ingredients to Avoid in Pregnancy (2026)
• How to Read an Ingredient Label When You Are Pregnant
• Is Retinol Safe During Pregnancy?

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