Sodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol Sulfonate

Sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate (SBBS) is a synthetic, functional ingredient used in cosmetics to protect light-sensitive compounds, like antioxidants, from degradation within formulas. It works by absorbing both UVA and UVB rays. Because sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate protects formulas from photodegradation, it also helps formulas remain stable and beneficial for longer. Despite its UV-absorbing prowess, sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate is not a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved UV filter and should not be used as such or viewed by consumers as having equivalency with traditional sunscreen actives. Instead, think of it more as an SPF booster—a supporting player to the superstar filters. According to suppliers of this ingredient, it appears as a fine powder in raw material form. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel concluded that sodium benzotriazolyl butylphenol sulfonate is safe for use in cosmetics at current concentrations and detailed that it’s “used at concentrations up to 0.64% in leave-on products (skin fresheners), 0.1% in rinse-off products, and 0.033% in bubble baths.”