Journal Information
Vol. 109. Issue 6.
Pages 468-469 (July - August 2018)
Vol. 109. Issue 6.
Pages 468-469 (July - August 2018)
COMMENTARIES
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Oxybenzone and Solar Filters in General: The Good and the Bad
Luces y sombras de los filtros solares, específicamente de la oxibenzona
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F.J. Ortiz de Frutos
Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España
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Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2018;109:521-810.1016/j.adengl.2018.05.010
J.P. Russo, A. Ipiña, J.F. Palazzolo, A.B. Cannavó, R.D. Piacentini, B. Niklasson
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We start by noting that allergic contact photoezcemas are uncommon,1 and allergic contact photoezcemas caused by components of sunscreens are also rare.2 A study by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group found a rate of positive reactions of 0.9% to sunscreen components among 23 000 patients who underwent skin patch and photopatch testing because of suspicion of delayed contact hypersensitivity.3

Although oxybenzone (benzophenone-3 according to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) has been listed for more than 20 years among products that absorb ultraviolet radiation and that are allergenic or photoallergenic, reactions to this compound were uncommon.4

In recent years, however, the frequency of oxybenzone reactions has increased to the point that it is now the main allergen or photoallergen in sunscreens,3 and it was named allergen of the year in 2014 by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group.5 The frequent cross-reactions between benzophenones and other common photoallergens such as ketoprofen, fenofibrate, and octocrylene are also cause for much concern.6

Little has been published on allergies or photoallergies to oxybenzone in Spain.7 However, in cases detected by the Spanish Photobiology Group, sunscreens were the second cause of allergic contact photosensitivity (10 of 103 positive results) after nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Of all sunscreen components, benzophenone-3 was the one responsible for most positive results in 2006 (5 of 103 positive results).8

In this issue of the journal, Russo et al.9 provide new information that points to oxybenzone as the main cause of allergic contact eczemas and photoeczemas in La Plata, Argentina.

Benzophenone-3 is, in contrast, an uncommon cause of contact urticaria induced by cosmetic components.10

In addition to adverse cutaneous effects, the presence of these products in urine and breast milk, contamination of fresh water, and transformation to other even more toxic products in chlorinated water and possible hormonal disruption are of great concern to toxicologists.11

Sunscreens are an essential part of the prevention and treatment of skin diseases, but like other interventions, they are not devoid of adverse effects.

References
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A. Darvay, I.R. White, R.J. Rycroft, A.B. Jones, J.L. Hawk, J.P. McFadden.
Photoallergic contact dermatitis is uncommon.
Br J Dermatol, 145 (2001), pp. 597-601
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K. Beleznay, G. de Gannes, S. Kalia.
Analysis of the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis to sunscreen: A cohort study.
J Cutan Med Surg, 18 (2014), pp. 15-19
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E.M. Warshaw, M.Z. Wang, H.I. Maibach, D.V. Belsito, K.A. Zug, J.S. Taylor, et al.
Patch test reactions associated with sunscreen products and the importance of testing to an expanded series: Retrospective analysis of North American Contact Dermatitis Group data, 2001 to 2010.
Dermatitis, 24 (2013), pp. 176-182
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Contact and photocontact sensitivity to sunscreens. Review of a 15-year experience and of the literature.
Contact Dermatitis, 37 (1997), pp. 221-232
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A.R. Heurung, S.I. Raju, E.M. Warshaw.
Contact allergen of the year - Benzophenones.
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Sun protection in children: Realities and challenges.
Actas Dermosifiliogr., 105 (2014), pp. 253-262
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Allergic contact cheilitis from a lipstick containing oxybenzone.
Contact Dermatitis, 27 (1992), pp. 267-268
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J. de la Cuadra-Oyanguren, A. Pérez-Ferriols, M. Lecha-Carrelero, A.M. Giménez-Arnau, V. Fernández-Redondo, F.J. Ortiz de Frutos, et al.
Resultados y evaluación del fotoparche en España: hacia una nueva batería estándar de fotoalergenos.
Actas Dermosifiliogr, 98 (2007), pp. 96-101
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J.P. Russo, A. Ipiña, J.F. Palazzolo, A.B. Cannavó, R.D. Piacentini, B. Niklasson.
Dermatitis por contacto fotoalérgica a protectores solares con oxibenzona en La Plata, Argentina.
Actas Dermosifiliograf, 109 (2018), pp. 521-528
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Cosmetic components causing contact urticaria: A review and update.
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DiNardo JC, Downs CA. Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17:15-19

Please cite this article as: Ortiz de Frutos FJ. Luces y sombras de los filtros solares, específicamente de la oxibenzona. Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2018;109:468–469.

Copyright © 2018. Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV
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