Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor

What Is It?

Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor is an organic compound that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light.

Why Is It Used?

In Europe, Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor is an approved UV filter, which means the ingredient can be added to sunscreen products that are designed to protect the skin from the sun. In Europe, sunscreen products are considered cosmetic products. In the United States, sunscreen products are Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs and only certain ingredients have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in these products. In assessing sunscreen active ingredients, the FDA reviews both safety and efficacy. The safety and efficacy of Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor has not yet been reviewed for sunscreen use by the FDA and it cannot be used in sunscreen drug products. For cosmetics in the United States, Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor can be used as a UV light absorber. In this case, the ingredient serves to protect the product from deterioration by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering UV light.

Scientific Facts

Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor absorbs UV radiation which is an important cause of premature aging of the skin and in the development of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.

Safety Information

The European Commission has conducted a safety evaluation of Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor. Based on their review, they concluded that use of this ingredient in cosmetic products as a UV light absorber at a maximum concentration of 6% would not pose a health hazard.

Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor is listed in the Cosmetics Directive of the European Union and may be used as a UV filter in cosmetics and personal care products at a maximum concentration of 6% (see Annex VII).

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: 
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_p…

More Scientific Information

Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor is a polymer. In cosmetics and personal care products, Polyacrylamidomethyl Benzylidene Camphor functions as a UV light absorber. UV absorbers, like sunscreen agents, have the ability to convert UV radiation into less damaging infrared radiation (heat).

Resources

Find out more about the regulation of Over-the-Counter drugs by the Food and Drug Administration

OTC Drug Home Page: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSa…

Information about OTC Drug monographs: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/over-counter-otc-drug-monograph-process

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/