Avobenzone is a substance in sunscreens that absorbs UVA photons to lessen their penetration into the skin, but it offers no UVB protection. Is it even helpful for the skin or not?
Avobenzone on the skin
Avobenzone is an oil-soluble derivative of dibenzoyl methane. Avobenzone is extremely light-sensitive but has the ability to absorb UV radiation over a wide range of wavelengths. Sunscreens containing avobenzone are recommended for sun protection because of their absorption peak at 357 nm. Avobenzone is a popular chemical sunscreen that, in contrast to other chemical sunscreens, offers protection from UVA radiation, which is responsible for skin cancer and premature ageing.
In terms of toxicity, avobenzone is comparatively secure. However, it only provides around 30 minutes of protection and degrades quickly in the sun. In order to stabilise avobenzone and extend its effectiveness beyond 30 minutes, several chemical sunscreen manufacturers combine it with some unsafe compounds like octocrylene.
How to apply Avobenzone containing sunscreens
Since avobenzone isn’t waterproof, you should reapply the sunscreen if you swim or sweat a lot, and you should do it after two to three hours if you’ve been in the sun for a long time. It is definitely forbidden to use creams containing avobenzone on skin that is damaged or irritated because the substance can make the irritation worse.
Read all directions and warnings before using sunscreen that contains avobenzone, and be careful to avoid getting the lotion in your eyes or mouth.