Is 3-benzylidene camphor safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to 3-benzylidene camphor | VeriMom

Related ingredients

See also

• Is 3-benzylidene camphor safe for babies?
• Should I avoid 3-benzylidene camphor during pregnancy?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to 3-benzylidene camphor?

Frequently asked questions

Is 3-benzylidene camphor safe during pregnancy?

Authoritative safety review (SCCS, 2013) found multiple in vitro hormonal activities (estrogenic, anti‑estrogenic and anti‑androgenic) and in vivo changes in hormone‑responsive gene expression; SCCS concluded use as a UV filter up to 2% was not safe. ECHA has listed 3‑benzylidene camphor on the REACH Candidate List as an SVHC for endocrine‑disrupting properties and the ingredient is subject to cosmetic prohibitions in EU Annex II. Taken together this supports 'suspected' reproductive/fetal hazard (H=2), demonstrated hormonal mechanisms (M=2) and measurable systemic exposure from topical use (E=2).

Is 3-benzylidene camphor safe while breastfeeding?

Same hazard/mechanistic evidence applies (endocrine activity, SCCS concerns; ECHA SVHC listing). Topical cosmetic application can produce measurable systemic levels for lipophilic UV‑filter type compounds, so moderate exposure to the nursing parent (and potential low‑to‑moderate transfer to milk) is plausible though direct milk‑transfer data are lacking; therefore exposure scored as moderate (E=2).

Is 3-benzylidene camphor safe for baby skin?

Hazard and mechanism as above (SCCS: endocrine activity; ECHA: SVHC for endocrine disruption). Because infants 0–3 years have an immature skin barrier and higher surface‑area‑to‑body‑weight, exposure score is increased by +1 relative to adult topical exposure (adult E=2 → infant E=3). Infants may therefore be at higher internal exposure and greater sensitivity to hormonal perturbation.

How does VeriMom score 3-benzylidene camphor?

VeriMom scores 3-benzylidene camphor at 13/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.

What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to 3-benzylidene camphor?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to 3-benzylidene camphor based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.