Skincare
Oxybenzone and Testosterone: What the Research Actually Shows
As a physician before I was a founder, I've learned that the most honest answer to "is this safe?" is rarely a single word.
Why This Question Exists
Chemical UV filters such as oxybenzone and octinoxate are absorbed into the skin and interact with UV radiation through a chemical process. That same absorption is what has led researchers to ask whether these ingredients might also interact with the body's own hormonal signalling.
What the Studies Found
Laboratory and cell-based studies have suggested that oxybenzone may interact with estrogen and androgen pathways. Population studies in the United States have also reported associations between higher benzophenone-3 exposure and lower average testosterone levels in adults and adolescents. A more recent review has examined endocrine effects of oxybenzone and octinoxate in the context of PCOS, describing mechanistic overlaps that remain under scientific discussion.
Why We Don't Treat This as Settled
The evidence is not unanimous. Reviews of human and epidemiological research do not support simple conclusions about fertility or reproductive hormones overall, while still noting open questions around testosterone, thyroid function, and mixed exposure that require further research. We think that nuance matters more than a headline, and we would rather share it than simplify it away.
Our Position
As long as these questions remain scientifically unresolved, we avoid ingredients that continue to be studied for hormonal activity, and rely instead on mineral filters such as zinc oxide. This is also the starting point for Hormone Recharge, the principle guiding our next generation of products.
This article summarises published research on ingredient classes in general. It does not describe a clinical effect of any NATÜRLICH product on the human body, and is not medical advice. If you have specific health concerns, please speak with your doctor.
Sources
Tao et al., Steroids, 2022 · Scinicariello & Buser, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2016 · Dutta & Sengupta, Toxics, 2025
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