Sunscreen filters & others
4-MBC
Banned in European Union and United Kingdom; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why it matters
EU scientists found evidence that 4-MBC disrupts thyroid and oestrogen hormones, and no safe concentration could be set.
What to look for on the label
4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, enzacamene.
Full name: 4-MBC (4-methylbenzylidene camphor)
Country by country
Around the worldBanned in European Union and United Kingdom; not specifically regulated in Nigeria.
Why: EU scientists found evidence that 4-MBC disrupts thyroid and oestrogen hormones, and no safe concentration could be set.
| Place | Status |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | no specific ruleNot named in NAFDAC labelling, bleaching-agent or registration rules. |
| European Union | bannedAnnex II 1730: no placing on market from 1 May 2025; off shelves from 1 May 2026. |
| United Kingdom | bannedAnnex 2 from 15 Jul 2026; existing stock sellable until 14 Jan 2027 (SI 2026/23). |
| United States | restrictedNot a permitted sunscreen active; FDA tentatively found enzacamene not GRASE (2015). |
| Canada | medicine onlyAllowed only as non-prescription drug sunscreen ingredient, max 4% (UVB). |
Sources: NAFDAC cosmetics registration guidelines · Reg (EU) 2024/996, EUR-Lex · UK SI 2026/23 · Federal Register 80 FR 10026 · Health Canada Sunscreen Monograph (Feb 2026). Checked 2026-10-19; rules change, so check the regulator before relying on it.
Is it in your product?
Paste the ingredient list, scan the barcode or read it from a photo. The check flags 4-mbc and anything else worth knowing.
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Education, not legal advice. Rules change: check with your country's regulator before relying on this.