4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR
Ultraviolet Light Absorber; UV ABSORBER; UV FILTER
Also listed as
BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] -; ENACAMENE; 3- (4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE) -DL-CAMPHOR; 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] - BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; 4-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR; 4-METHYL-3-BENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR; BICYCLO (2.2.1) HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] -; EUSOLEX 6300; (±) -1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3- [ (4-METHYLPHENYL) METHYLENE] BICYCLO [2.2.1] HEPTAN-2-ONE; MBC
Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.
| This ingredient: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
 | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Contamination concerns |
| Other moderate concerns for this ingredient: Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation |
 | Lesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient: Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
|
See products containing 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | |
About 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR: A UV filter not approved as an active ingredient for sunscreen in the U.S., but listed as an inactive ingredient in some products. European researchers cite concerns over thyroid toxicity, hormone disruption, and recommend the chemical not be used in sunscreen.
ingredient UV blocking strength
| possible* sunscreen concentrations |
UV blocking strength |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1.0% |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.0% |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5.0% |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Skin Deep does not have any concentration information for this ingredient in products. The concentrations shown are only for illustrative purposes.
4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR has reported used in the following product types: antiperspirant/deodorant (4); antiperspirant/deodorant (men's) (2); sunscreen: moisturizer (2); exfoliant/scrub (1); sunscreen: SPF less than 15 (1); anti-aging (1); moisturizer (1); facial moisturizer/treatment (1); body wash/cleanser (1); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (1)
Violations, restrictions & warnings
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - | SCCP (2006) |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show effects at very low doses | Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 2007 | |
| show more | ||
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature | |
| show more | ||
Endocrine disruption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Limited evidence of disruption | Inui, 2003 | |
| show more | ||
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | |
| show more | ||
Biochemical or cellular level changes
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 |
Enhanced skin absorption
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Absorbs into the skin | SCCP (2006) | |
| Absorbs into the skin | Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 2008 |
Data gaps
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel |
Ecotoxicology
| type of concern | product conditions | reference |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List |
Government, industry, academic studies and classifications
| government/industry list/academic study | appears on list as | classification(s) |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | BICYCLO[2.2.1]HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]- | •This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for suspected bioaccumulation. |
| European Commission on Endocrine Disruption | 3-(4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE)CAMPHOR | HH-CAT1;WF-CAT3a |
| OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern | 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]-BICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONE | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, chemical of concern |
| Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature | BICYCLO(2.2.1)HEPTAN-2-ONE, 1,7,7-TRIMETHYL-3-[(4-METHYLPHENYL)METHYLENE]- | •Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Limited or emerging evidence in open scientific literature |
| Inui, 2003 | 4- METHYL-BENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | Increased VTG plasma concentration in male medaka |
| SCCPNFP, 04 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR | Increased TSH in combination with elevated T3 or T4, enlarged thyroids and thyroid proliferation suggests a major interference of 4-MBC in thyroid hormone metabolism. |
| SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 1988 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDINE CAMPHOR | There was some retardation of ossification in foetuses of the intermediate and high dose groups.; NOAEL for developmental effects in rats at 10 mg/kg/day |
| SCCP (2006) | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | The SCCP is of the opinion that presently the safe use of a maximum concentration of 4% 4-MBC in sunscreens cannot be established. |
| SCCP (2006) | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | About 2% of the dose was absorbed in 6 volunteers through dermal penetration |
| Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 2007 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | 4-MBC affects development of male reproductive functions and organs, with a lowest observed adverse effect level of 0.7 mg/kg. |
| Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al, 2007 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | 4-MBC delays male puberty and alters hormone receptor expression in the prostate of rats. |
| Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 2008 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | At 4.4 mg/cm(2) coverage of UV filter on the baby mouse skin, 1.15 +/- 0.14 % of the applied MBC were detected in the receptor fluid at 24 h after application. |
| Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP, 2008 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | At 4.4 mg/cm(2) coverage of UV filter on the baby mouse skin, 2.98 +/- 0.38 % of the applied EHMC was detected in the receptor fluid at 24 h after application. |
| Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O et al, 2008 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | A rat study reveals impaired reproductive development in males and females, with a lowest observed adverse effect level of 7 mg/kg. |
| RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives 2002 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo) • endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2001 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo) • endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2003 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • reproductive - Central nervous system (rat TDLo) • developmental - Viability index (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 2001 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • reproductive - Endocrine system (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • developmental - Delayed effects (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Litter size (rat TDLo) • reproductive - Urogenital system (rat TDLo) • endocrine system - Changes in uterine weight (rat TDLo) • endocrine system - Estrogenic (rat TDLo) |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | 4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR | • endocrine system - Evidence of thyroid hyperfunction (rat TDLo) • liver - Other changes (rat TDLo) • biochemical - Other oxidoreductases (rat TDLo) |
references
| government/industry list/academic study | reference |
| Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List | EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry. |
| European Commission on Endocrine Disruption | EU (European Union)- Strategy for Endocrine Disrupters 2007. Commision on endocrin disruption requested by the European Parliament in 1998. |
| OSPAR PBTs - Substances of Possible Concern | OSPAR (Oslo-Paris). 2002. OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR List of Substances of Possible Concern. Secondary OSPAR. Place Published, OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environement of North-East Atlanic. |
| Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature | Emerging PBTs from peer-reviewed literature |
| Open scientific literature | {Inui, 2003} |
| Open scientific literature | {SCCPNFP, 04} |
| Open scientific literature | {SCCPNFP, 04; Gleich, 1988} |
| Open scientific literature | SCCP (2006). "Opinion concerning 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor ". European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. SCCP/1042/06 Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm. |
| Open scientific literature | SCCP (2006). "Opinion concerning 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor ". European Commission - The Scientfic Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers. SCCP/1042/06 Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/sccp_opinions_en.htm. |
| Open scientific literature | Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al. "Estrogen sensitivity of target genes and expression of nuclear receptor co-regulators in rat prostate after pre- and postnatal exposure to the ultraviolet filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor." Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115 Suppl 1:42-50. |
| Open scientific literature | Durrer S, Ehnes C, Fuetsch M et al. "Estrogen sensitivity of target genes and expression of nuclear receptor co-regulators in rat prostate after pre- and postnatal exposure to the ultraviolet filter 4-methylbenzylidene camphor." Environ Health Perspect 2007; 115 Suppl 1:42-50. |
| Open scientific literature | Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP. Transdermal penetration of UV filters. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 21 (1):23-9. |
| Open scientific literature | Klinubol P, Asawanonda P, Wanichwecharungruang SP. Transdermal penetration of UV filters. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2008; 21 (1):23-9. |
| Open scientific literature | Schlumpf M, Durrer S, Faass O et al. "Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental exposure: a review." Int J Androl 2008; 31 (2):144-51. |
| RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives 2002 | RTECS®- EHP, Environmental Health Perspectives. (U.S. Government Printing Office, Supt of Documents, Washington, DC 20402) No.1- 1972- 110,533,2002 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2001 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 60,298,2001 |
| RTECS®- Toxicologist 2003 | RTECS®- Toxicologist. (Soc. of Toxicology, Inc., 475 Wolf Ledge Parkway, Akron, OH 44311) V.1- -1981 72,133,2003 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology Letters 2001 | RTECS®- Toxicology Letters. (Elsevier Science Pub. B.V., POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.1- 1977- 135,S85,2001 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 199,109,2004 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 205,113,2004 |
| RTECS®- Toxicology 2004 | RTECS®- Toxicology. (Elsevier Scientific Pub. Ireland, Ltd., POB 85, Limerick, Ireland) V.1- 1973- 205,95,2004 |
"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
MERCURY IN MASCARA!?
It's true. EWG's researchers list the products and ingredients you should avoid in What Not to Buy.