What is Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine and what is it used for?

But what is the role of "Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine" in cosmetic products?

In cosmetics this complex molecule is used as an organic sunscreen filter next-generation to prevent skin and hair damage from UV exposure. Developed and patented in the late 1990s, its development met a growing need for broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) filters that remain stable in light and well tolerated by skin.

Available UV filters at the time had important limitations: instability under UV exposure, limited efficacy at certain wavelengths and formulation constraints. The molecule attracted interest from the skincare industry in Europe, where it was authorised for use in sunscreens in the early 2000s.

BEMT provides broad-spectrum UV protection by absorbing UVA and UVB rays (280–400 nm) with absorption peaks around 310 and 345 nm, making it one of the most effective sunscreen agents known to date. It is the predominant UV filter in sunscreens for adults and children. According to a study, bemmotrizinol is found in 60% of sunscreens for children and 54% of those for adults sold in Poland.

A 2007 study compared the efficacy of 18 UV filters authorised in the European Union. Among them, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine stood out for its sun protection factor (SPF). When applied at 10% concentration—the maximum allowed in finished products under EU regulations—anisotriazine alone achieved an SPF of 20, placing it among the better performing filters in this evaluation.

Its effect occurs beyond application to skin or hair. It serves as a stabilising agent against light to shield the formula from its harmful effects and extend its shelf life.

In addition to providing broad-spectrum protection covering UVA-I, UVA-II and UVB, bemotrizinol is distinguished by its high photostability. In other words, it resists degradation under UV exposure, enabling it to maintain protective performance throughout sun exposure. This stability offers a further benefit: it helps protect other light-sensitive sunscreen filters, notably avobenzone and ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate. A 2001 study by Gabard et al. demonstrated this dose-dependent photostabilisation effect, showing that adding bemotrizinol preserves an optimal ratio between SPF and the UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) even after prolonged irradiation.

What is the safety profile of "Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine"?

In 1999, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded that there was no evidence of toxicity, irritant effect or sensitisation associated with "Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine", considering its use safe in products at authorised concentrations. This evaluation was reinforced by a clinical study published in 2024, involving 30 subjects with sensitive skin predisposed to reactions to conventional sunscreens. None of the participants showed signs of contact dermatitis, such as redness, itching, or inflammation, after applying a cream containing, among other ingredients, BEMT. These findings confirm the skin tolerance of this UV filter, even in sensitive or atopic individuals.

Although these data support a high safety profile, it is recommended to conduct a patch test before any use, as with any cosmetic product. Indeed, three isolated cases of allergic contact dermatitis have been reported since the launch of BEMT. These are rare but possible occurrences, especially in those with allergic histories. Each skin is unique, so an individual reaction can never be fully excluded, even with an ingredient well tolerated by most.

Moreover, several studies support the favourable toxicological profile of Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine. In particular, research has shown that it does not act as an endocrine disruptor. According to a in vitro study from 2001 (LEFEVRE P. A. et al.), it demonstrated that this filter does not bind to oestrogen or androgen receptors, ruling out endocrine disruption potential. Data also indicate that its skin penetration is very low, limiting its passage into systemic circulation. Environmentally, available data suggest that BEMT would exert no measurable negative effect on the marine ecosystem (corals, algae, crustaceans, fish), either alone or in combination with other UV filters.

What is the current regulatory status of "Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine" ?

In Europe “Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine” is an approved UV filter at a maximum 10% concentration in a finished product, yet it remains banned in the United States by the FDA. Indeed, its safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by the FDA under the monographs governing sunscreen filters. That said, the compound is recognised as safe and effective by regulators in Europe and Asia. In the US, it may still be used as a formula stabiliserwhere it protects the product itself from light-induced degradation.

In Japan, it is permitted up to 3% but is prohibited in products intended for use on mucous membranes.