Is Avobenzone Safe?
The FDA has not decided. In its 2021 proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreens, which is still a proposal, the FDA proposed that sunscreens containing avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate and several other ingredients are not generally recognized as safe and effective, or GRASE, because additional data is needed to show that they are. It proposed GRASE status for sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
Absorption is part of the question. FDA researchers conducted two randomized clinical trials that demonstrated systemic exposure to multiple commonly used sunscreen active ingredients under single and maximal use conditions, meaning the ingredients were absorbed into the body, and the FDA says the clinical effect of these findings is unknown and continued use of sunscreen is encouraged.
The FDA is finalizing its proposal in pieces. On September 10, 2026 it issued a final order removing PABA and trolamine salicylate from the ingredients allowed in over-the-counter sunscreens, saying the risks of these ingredients outweigh their benefits and that it is not aware of any sunscreens sold in the US that contain them. It has also added bemotrizinol as a sunscreen active ingredient, and says it will address the remaining provisions in future orders. Given the recognized public health benefits of sunscreen, the FDA says Americans should use it in combination with other sun protective measures.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingThe FDA’s 2021 proposed order proposes not GRASE status for sunscreens containing cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone or avobenzone, because additional data is needed. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA’s 2021 proposed order proposes GRASE status for sunscreens containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA says the 2021 proposed order is a proposal, and that it is working through the remaining provisions and will address them in future orders. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA says its researchers conducted two randomized clinical trials that demonstrated systemic exposure of multiple commonly used sunscreen active ingredients, that the clinical effect is unknown, and that continued use of sunscreen is encouraged. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingOn September 10, 2026 the FDA issued a final order removing PABA and trolamine salicylate from over-the-counter sunscreens, saying the risks of these ingredients outweigh their benefits. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA says it is not aware of any sunscreens sold in the US that contain PABA or trolamine salicylate, and that Americans should use sunscreen in combination with other sun protective measures. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingThe FDA says a final order added bemotrizinol as an active ingredient to the over-the-counter sunscreen monograph. US FDA ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.