Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane (Also known as Avobenzone and BMBM)
RATING: EXCELLENT
Quick Facts
- Famous for being the only chemical sunscreen and can protect the skin from UVA rays
- It is unfortunately not photostable and begins to degrade in the sunlight
- Cannot be mixed with other mineral sunscreens
- Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane is one of the most used sunscreens in the world
Who can use it?
Anyone who does not show any signs of allergy to the ingredient.
What is Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane?
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmenthane is the most used ingredient in sunscreen formulations due to its ability to provide gold standard UVA protection. Used globally offers protection at 360 nm but sadly is not photostable meaning it begins to degrade when exposure to the sunlight which is why you need to remain vigilant ensuring you reapply sunscreen on an hourly basis. While working with butyl methoxydibenzoylmenthane it was discovered that it is too unstable to be formulated with other mineral sunscreens making it useless in regards to it being used to enhance the performance of sun protection. In some cases, it is prohibited to blend avobenzone with mineral sunscreens in the United States.
Side effects of Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Although is some negativity to BMBM being too unstable for mixed formulations, in the long run it has a pretty impressive reputation of being a beneficial ingredient in sunscreens.
Scientific Evidence
- Photochem Photobiol. 2001 Sep;74(3):401-6., Photostabilization of butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate by bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (Tinosorb S), a new UV broadband filter.
- Schlumpf, Margret, et al. "In vitro and in vivo estrogenicity of UV screens." Environmental health perspectives 109.3 (2001): 239.
