Is it safe for pregnant women to use sunscreen with benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone)?
Use caution. During pregnancy, choose mineral sunscreen when you can and avoid oxybenzone when alternatives exist.
What is in it
Oxybenzone, also called benzophenone-3, is a chemical UV filter used in some sunscreens, lip balms, and makeup with SPF. It is different from mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
If you are pregnant, do not skip sun protection. Sunburn is real harm. The safer default is a mineral sunscreen, shade, a hat, and light clothing when those are practical.
What the research says
A 2026 Environmental Pollution study followed 140 children ages 4 to 12. Higher benzophenone exposure, including BP-3, was linked with higher TSH and lower FT3. The study also found changes in cysteine and methionine metabolism that helped explain the thyroid pattern.
This is a child study, not a pregnancy trial. The FDA has also said it has enough safety data to support zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while more safety data is needed for several chemical filters, including oxybenzone. So the practical choice is simple: look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient.