avobenzone

noun

avo·​ben·​zone ˌā-və-ˈben-ˌzōn How to pronounce avobenzone (audio)
: a chemical compound C20H22O3 that absorbs UVA radiation and is used as an ingredient in sunscreens
Avobenzone is the most widely used ingredient to absorb UVA, the type of ultraviolet light that contributes to skin cancer and aging of the skin, but it degrades in sunlight, so it has to be combined with other ingredients to be effective.Susan Carpenter, The Los Angeles Times
Look for sunblocks and you shouldn't have any problem finding avobenzone (aka Parsol 1789), titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide.Harvard Health Letter

Note: Avobenzone is marketed under the trademark Parsol.

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Cite this Entry

“Avobenzone.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/avobenzone. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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