Characteristics
- INCI
- 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor
- Ru.
- Enzacamene
- CAS
-
36861-47-9, 38102-62-4
This is the substance number in the Chemical Abstracts Service registry. The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance regardless of language, trade name, or synonyms.
- EC
-
253-242-6
This is the substance number in the European chemical identification system (EC number), used in European regulatory databases including ECHA/CosIng.
- IUPAC
- (.+-.)-1,7,7-Trimethyl-3-[(4-Methylphenyl)Methylene]Bicyclo[2.2.1]Heptan-2-One
- Functions
- uv absorber, uv filter
- EU Restr.
-
VI/18
EU regulatory status: restricted use. The ingredient is permitted in EU cosmetics but its use and labelling are regulated.
More detail →
Description
4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor is a chemical sunscreen agent that protects in the UVB range (290-320 nm) with a peak absorbance at 301 nm. It is an oil-soluble powder that is slightly photo-unstable (it takes 65 minutes to lose 10% of its protecting power and 345 minutes to lose half of it), but it can still help to stabilize the famously unstable UVA filter, avobenzone.
Regarding its safety, we do not have the best news. Two possible concerns are that it absorbs into the body and might have some estrogenic activity there. But do not panic, the latter one was only shown in rats and is probably not the case in humans. Still, this is a UV filter that is currently being phased out of use. It is not approved in the US and Japan, and the EU also banned it starting in 2026 (however it is approved in Australia up to 4%).
Evidence & research
-
1
Schlumpf, Margret, et al. "Estrogenic activity and estrogen receptor β binding of the UV filter 3-benzylidene camphor: Comparison with 4-methylbenzylidene camphor." Toxicology 199.2-3 (2004): 109-120.Find in PubMed
-
2
Pharmazie 62: 449–452 (2007), Study of the efficacy of 18 sun filters authorized in European Union tested in vitro
Found in products (318 total)
Наиболее часто встречается в продукции Cancer Council (17 продуктов)
