To put it plainly, the interpretation that “DHHB was restricted to 1 ppm because it is dangerous” is incorrect. The scientific advice from the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concerns not DHHB itself, the UV filter, but DnHexP—di-n-hexyl phthalate—which may be present as an impurity in DHHB raw materials.[1]
Are DHHB and DnHexP the same substance?
No. DHHB stands for Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, a UV filter that absorbs UVA radiation. DnHexP is a separate substance, di-n-hexyl phthalate, and the SCCS document assessed it as an impurity that may remain from the manufacturing process.[1] Although their names may look similar, their roles are entirely different: one is a UV filter and the other is an impurity.
Why do both 260 ppm and 1 ppm appear in the SCCS opinion?
The SCCS calculated a safe upper limit of 0.026%, or 260 ppm, for DnHexP if it is an unavoidable impurity when DHHB is used at up to 10% in cosmetics.[1] However, the submitted data also confirmed that, when a specific manufacturing process is used, DnHexP can be reduced to below the detection limit or to 1 ppm. The SCCS therefore considered it desirable to set 1 ppm as the “target maximum impurity level” when this can be achieved technically.[1]
So is 1 ppm a toxicity limit or a quality-control target?
In this opinion, 1 ppm should not be interpreted as a toxicity threshold above which something becomes immediately dangerous. Although 260 ppm was presented in the safety calculation, 1 ppm was recommended as a target because lower impurity levels can be achieved technically.[1] When reading regulatory documents, it is important to distinguish between a “calculated safe level” and the “impurity-management target manufacturers should work toward.”
Why are phthalates such as DnHexP treated sensitively?
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) explains that several phthalates are strictly regulated in the EU because of concerns about reproductive toxicity or endocrine effects, and notes that dihexyl phthalate is also subject to restrictions in products such as consumer textiles.[2] However, this general information about phthalate-related hazards does not directly indicate the actual exposure risk from a particular sunscreen product. For cosmetics, concentration, exposure, and manufacturing quality must be considered together.
Should consumers avoid sunscreens containing DHHB?
The SCCS opinion alone provides no basis for concluding that “all DHHB products should be avoided.” The key is to look beyond the finished-product name and consider raw-material quality control and follow-up action by regulatory authorities. Since consumers may find it difficult to verify ppm levels at the manufacturing stage, a practical approach is to choose products from official distribution channels and check the product and lot information if a recall or official announcement is issued by a regulatory authority.
How does DHHB appear on an ingredient list?
It is generally listed under the INCI name “Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate.” However, DnHexP is not an intentionally added ingredient but an impurity issue, so consumers cannot determine its actual ppm level simply by reading the ingredient list.
FAQ | Do I need to buy only cosmetics with “zero impurities”?
In practical quality control, the question is not whether every substance is absolutely at zero, but whether it is managed below a toxicologically meaningful level and whether the manufacturing process is improved sufficiently when further reduction is possible. The SCCS’s presentation of both the 260 ppm calculation and the 1 ppm target illustrates this distinction.[1]
Does 1 ppm equal 0.0001%?
By mass, 1 ppm is one part per million. However, it is essential to check what the document’s reference point is: ppm in the entire product or ppm of an impurity in the raw material. This SCCS advice concerns the level of DnHexP impurity in DHHB raw materials.[1]
DERME VERDICT
The most important sentence when reading regulatory news about DHHB is: “DHHB and DnHexP are not the same substance.” The 1 ppm figure does not refer to the amount of DHHB used; it is a quality-control target to reduce DnHexP impurity in the raw material to the lowest technically achievable level. Rather than interpreting ingredient lists through fear, it is more accurate to check what the regulatory document measured and under what conditions.
Sources
[2] European Chemicals Agency · Phthalates - hot topics · accessed 2026-10-04
