Is 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor safe during pregnancy?
UV filter not allowed in US sunscreens but found in some imports. A pregnancy review advises avoiding it.
PregnancyNot recommended
BreastfeedingNot recommended
EvidenceLimited
What the sources say
4-MBC is not among FDA's permitted US sunscreen actives, but it appears in some imported (e.g., Asian or older European) sunscreens. A 2025 review of photoprotection in pregnancy and breastfeeding lists it with oxybenzone and octinoxate as filters associated with endocrine effects and says sunscreens containing them should be avoided during pregnancy as a precaution. Choose zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead.
Common alternatives
Also listed as
4-mbc, 4mbc, enzacamene, eusolex 6300, methylbenzylidene camphor, parsol 5000
Sources
- NIH PubMed (peer-reviewed review): Photoprotection in pregnancy: addressing safety concerns and optimizing skin health (Front Med, 2025)
- FDA: Questions and Answers: FDA's regulatory actions on over-the-counter sunscreen
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.