Ingredient dictionary

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

Also listed as: Avobenzone

Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, also called avobenzone, is a chemical sunscreen filter that absorbs UVA rays and helps shield skin from them. It is on the label of 60 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: it belongs to the chemical UV filter group. People with very sensitive skin, and those who want a mineral-only sunscreen, often check for these.

Chemical UV filters. Very sensitive skin, and people who want a mineral-only sunscreen, check for these.

What Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane does

Absorbs UVA light in sunscreens
Covers the longer UVA wavelengths
Works best with stabilizing partner filters

Avobenzone is a synthetic compound, made in a chemical lab rather than taken from plants or minerals. It is oil-soluble, so it blends into the oily part of a formula. That makes it easy to add to lotions and creams.

Formulators use it because it is one of the main filters for the longer UVA band. The catch is that it breaks down in sunlight on its own, so it is usually paired with a stabilizer such as octocrylene. In a finished product it is one part of a blend, so the overall feel depends mostly on the other ingredients.

Good for

Anyone who wants UVA coverage from a chemical filter in a sunscreen or SPF moisturizer, and tolerates chemical filters well.

Be careful if

It belongs to the chemical UV filter group. People with very sensitive skin, and those who want a mineral-only sunscreen, often check for these.

Frequently asked questions

Is avobenzone safe to use?

It is a widely used UVA filter in sunscreens. Many people use it with no trouble. People with very sensitive skin may react to chemical filters, so a patch test on a small area is a sensible first step.

Why is avobenzone paired with other sunscreen ingredients?

On its own, avobenzone breaks down in sunlight, so it loses some of its UVA protection over time. Formulators add stabilizers, such as octocrylene, to help it hold up. Check the full ingredient list for these partners.