Is Avobenzone Safe During Pregnancy?
Updated September 14, 2026
The Answer
For normal topical sunscreen use during pregnancy, avobenzone warrants caution, not automatic avoidance. Pregnancy specific outcome data are limited, but no avobenzone specific human pregnancy harm signal is established. Mineral filters are preferred when practical; sun protection remains important.
The absorption findings came from high coverage, repeated applications in nonpregnant adults, not studies showing pregnancy harm from normal topical sunscreen use.
FDA maximal use studies in nonpregnant adults detected systemic absorption but did not establish clinical harm; direct human pregnancy outcome data specific to avobenzone remain limited.
Already used it? If you have already used sunscreen containing avobenzone, that exposure alone does not establish harm. Keep sun protection in your routine; when choosing your next sunscreen, mineral filters are a lower uncertainty option when practical.
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What Is Avobenzone?
You may also see it listed as: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, BMDM, Parsol 1789
Avobenzone is an organic, or chemical, sunscreen filter that protects against UVA rays. It is used in chemical and hybrid sunscreens, including lotions and sprays, and appears in SPF moisturizers and lip products.
What Other Ingredients Should You Look Out for in Products With Avobenzone?
A product's full ingredient list determines whether it's pregnancy-safe or not. These ingredients also appear in some of the avobenzone products we analyzed and may deserve a closer look.
Butyloctyl Salicylate
CautionLook for “butyloctyl salicylate,” an emollient and solvent used in sunscreen formulas; routine cosmetic use appears low concern, but direct pregnancy studies are lacking. Check whether use involves high concentrations, large areas, or broken skin, where extra caution is warranted.
Flagged in 1 product (100%) in this analysis.
Fragrance
Caution“Fragrance” or “parfum” identifies a scent mixture whose individual ingredients may not be disclosed and that can irritate sensitive skin or airways. If you want to reduce exposure, check for fragrance free options; the term does not mean every mixture contains phthalates or is proven harmful in pregnancy.
Flagged in 1 product (100%) in this analysis.
Homosalate
CautionCheck for “homosalate,” a UVB filter with limited pregnancy specific data and measurable absorption after topical use, without demonstrated human harm. For frequent, large area sunscreen use, compare its concentration or consider mineral broad spectrum options while maintaining sun protection.
Flagged in 1 product (100%) in this analysis.
Octocrylene
CautionLook for “octocrylene,” a UV filter with limited pregnancy outcome data and concerns about benzophenone impurities or degradation. If you want to reduce that uncertainty, check for an octocrylene free or mineral based broad spectrum option rather than skipping sunscreen.
Flagged in 1 product (100%) in this analysis.
Does Avobenzone Strength or Product Type Matter During Pregnancy?
Normal topical sunscreen use should be distinguished from the high coverage, repeated applications used in FDA maximal use studies. Those studies demonstrated systemic absorption, not clinical harm. Limited direct pregnancy outcome data leave uncertainty, which supports preferring mineral filters when practical rather than giving up sun protection.
What Products Contain Avobenzone?
Pregnancy Safe has looked at 784 products that have avobenzone as an ingredient. The category and grade breakdowns below use 1 product whose name mentions Avobenzone or another name for it.
What Types of Products Contain Avobenzone?
Products You May Have That Contain Avobenzone
| Grade | Product | Brand | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D- | Hawaiian Tropic Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octocrylene Spray | Hawaiian Tropic | Sunscreen |
| D+ | La Roche Posay Toleriane Face Moisturizer Sunscreen With Ceramide And Niacinamide - Spf 30 | La Roche Posay | Face Moisturizer |
| D+ | Unseen Sunscreen | Supergoop | Sunscreen |
| D | Sun Bum Original Sunscreen Spray - 6 Fl Oz | Sun Bum | Sunscreen |
| D+ | Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Lightweight Sunscreen Spray, Spf 70 | Neutrogena | Sunscreen |
| D- | Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion Sunscreen - Spf 30 - 8Oz | Hawaiian Tropic | Sunscreen |
| D+ | Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen Spf 50 1.7 Oz | Supergoop | Sunscreen |
| D- | Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Sunscreen Lotion Spf 50 8 Oz | Hawaiian Tropic | Sunscreen |
How Do Products Containing Avobenzone Score?
It can be helpful to see how products containing avobenzone generally score during pregnancy. This does not tell you whether your exact product is safe, but it gives you a general idea of what we found. In this breakdown of 1 product, 100% receive a D grade. A D grade means the complete formula has multiple cautionary ingredients, so consider avoiding it or choosing a higher scoring alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avobenzone During Pregnancy
Why is avobenzone flagged for caution rather than avoidance?
Direct pregnancy outcome data are limited, and high use testing shows systemic absorption. These findings support caution, but they do not establish human pregnancy harm from normal topical sunscreen use.
Does finding avobenzone in blood mean it is harmful?
No. FDA maximal use studies found levels above a threshold that triggers additional safety testing, not a proven harm threshold. The studies involved nonpregnant adults and did not establish clinical harm.
Which sunscreen filters are preferred during pregnancy?
Mineral filters such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are preferred in pregnancy guidance when practical because they are lower uncertainty options. This does not establish the safety of every product containing them.
What if I used avobenzone sunscreen before knowing I was pregnant?
Normal topical use has no established avobenzone specific human pregnancy harm signal, though pregnancy outcome data are limited. Prior use alone does not demonstrate harm and is not a reason to give up sun protection.
Is butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane the same as avobenzone?
Yes. Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane is another name for avobenzone, so seeing that name on your label does not indicate a different sunscreen filter.
Can I judge an entire sunscreen by whether it contains avobenzone?
No. The avobenzone assessment concerns that ingredient in normal topical sunscreen use. Other ingredients also matter, and a product grade describes the complete formula, not avobenzone alone.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains an ingredient Pregnancy Safe recommends avoiding during pregnancy. This may reflect an established risk or a precaution based on limited evidence; check the ingredient guidance and exposure context.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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