2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid(CAS 27503-81-5)
Product Name: 2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid
Abbreviation: PBSA
INCI Name: Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
CAS No.: 27503-81-5
Grade: Cosmetic Grade (Sunscreen & Skin Care Special)
Purity: ≥99.0%
Appearance: White Crystalline Powder, Slight Characteristic Odor
Molecular Formula: C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₃S
Molecular Weight: 278.29
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): 1KG
Solubility: Easily soluble in water and polar solvents, soluble in alkaline aqueous solution, insoluble in pure oil phase, excellent water-phase dispersion and dissolution uniformity
UV Absorption Peak: 302nm (Precise UVB Band Absorption)
Key Characteristics: Pure water-soluble UVB absorption, ultra-high photostability, no photodegradation, refreshing non-greasy texture, low irritation, good skin affinity, wide formula compatibility, effectively avoid greasy residue of oil-soluble sunscreens
Storage Condition: Sealed, dry, cool and ventilated environment, avoid high temperature, strong light and humid environment to prevent moisture agglomeration and performance attenuation, keep tightly sealed after opening
Shelf Life: 24 Months
Application: Widely used in water-based refreshing sunscreen lotion, transparent sunscreen spray, facial sunscreen, body sunscreen, isolation cream and mild daily sunscreen products, used as core water-soluble UVB filtering agent
2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid, PBSA, Water-Soluble Sunscreen, UVB Filter, High Photostability, Facial Sunscreen, Refreshing Non-Greasy, Cosmetic Grade UV Absorber
2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid(CAS 27503-81-5)
Cosmetic-grade 2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid (PBSA) is a high-efficiency water-soluble organic UVB sunscreen agent, specially developed for refreshing lightweight sunscreen formulas. Different from traditional oil-soluble sunscreen raw materials, PBSA adopts unique water-soluble molecular structure, which can be completely dissolved in cosmetic water phase, avoiding oil-phase precipitation, floating powder and greasy texture problems, and endowing sunscreen products with ultra-clear and refreshing skin feel.
It has precise and efficient absorption capacity for the key UVB sunburn band (280-320nm), effectively blocks ultraviolet radiation that causes skin sunburn, redness and light damage, and stably improves the SPF value of formulas. The product has industry-leading photostability, no molecular decomposition or efficacy attenuation under long-term ultraviolet irradiation, completely solving the problem of gradual failure of traditional sunscreens after sun exposure, and maintaining stable and lasting sun protection effect throughout the use cycle.
With mild formula, low sensitization and no irritation, it has excellent compatibility with water-phase emulsifiers, moisturizing factors and water-soluble functional ingredients, does not affect the transparency and fluidity of water-based formulas, and is the core preferred raw material for developing lightweight, breathable, non-greasy high-end refreshing sunscreen products.



Key Benefits
• Pure Water-Soluble & Refreshing Texture: Exclusive water-soluble structure, fully dissolved in water phase without oil residue, effectively improve product stickiness, create ultra-light, breathable and non-greasy sunscreen skin feel.
• Precise UVB Targeted Absorption: Focus on absorbing 280-320nm UVB sunburn band, high absorption efficiency, effectively prevent skin sunburn and redness, stably improve formula SPF index.
• Superior Photostability & Long-Lasting Efficacy: Resist ultraviolet photodegradation, no efficacy attenuation after long-term sun exposure, avoid sunscreen failure, and maintain continuous and stable sun protection effect.
• Mild Low-Sensitivity & Wide Audience: Non-irritating formula, low sensitization, safe for facial skin and sensitive skin, suitable for daily long-term sunscreen products.
• Excellent Water-Based Formula Compatibility: Perfectly compatible with all water-phase raw materials, no precipitation or flocculation, maintain transparent and uniform texture of water-based sunscreen and spray formulas.
• Cost-Effective & Easy Formula Matching: Low dosage and high efficiency, easy to disperse and dissolve, simplify production process, reduce formula cost, and support mass stable production.
Applications
• Refreshing Water-Based Sunscreen Lotion: Core UVB protective raw material for daily lightweight sunscreen, improve SPF value, optimize refreshing skin feel, eliminate greasy residue, suitable for facial daily sun protection.
• Transparent Sunscreen Spray: Ideal for transparent and invisible sunscreen spray formulas, good water solubility ensures no white film, no floating powder, uniform film formation and natural skin fitting effect.
• Mild Sensitive Skin Sunscreen: Applied in low-irritation mild sunscreen formulas for sensitive skin, reduce skin burden, achieve long-term safe sun protection, and improve product safety.
• Sunscreen Isolation Products: Added in sunscreen isolation lotion and primer, balance UV protection and refreshing makeup feeling, avoid greasy makeup cake, and improve base makeup durability.
• Body Large-Area Sunscreen: Suitable for large-capacity body sunscreen products, with low irritation and refreshing texture, comfortable for whole-body application, suitable for daily commuter sun protection.
Certificate Of Analysis (COA)
Test Item | Standard Specification | Test Result |
Product Name | 2-Phenylbenzimidazole-5-Sulfonic Acid (PBSA) | Compliant |
CAS No. | 27503-81-5 | Compliant |
Appearance | White Crystalline Powder, Slight Characteristic Odor | Compliant |
Purity | ≥99.0% | 99.68% |
UV Absorption (302nm) | Qualified Standard Absorption | Qualified |
Loss on Drying | ≤0.2% | 0.09% |
Melting Point Range | 290-300℃ | 295.4℃ |
Acid Value | 505-525 mgKOH/g | 516.2 mgKOH/g |
Heavy Metal (Pb) | ≤10ppm | Qualified |
Arsenic (As) | ≤2ppm | Qualified |
Residue on Ignition | ≤0.1% | 0.03% |
Conclusion | Conforms to cosmetic grade quality standard | Qualified |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Q1: What is the MOQ of cosmetic grade PBSA?
A1: The standard MOQ is 1KG, and sample orders are supported for formula testing and stability trial production.
• Q2: What certification documents can be provided?
A2: Complete COA, MSDS and full set of global customs clearance documents are available to support export declaration.
• Q3: What is the recommended dosage in sunscreen formulas?
A3: Conventional addition ratio is 1.0%-3.0% for daily refreshing sunscreen, 3.0%-5.0% for high SPF waterproof sunscreen, adjustable according to sun protection index and formula texture requirements.
• Q4: What is the biggest advantage of PBSA compared with oil-soluble sunscreens?
A4: PBSA is pure water-soluble, no oily residue, creates refreshing and non-greasy skin feel, has higher photostability, not easy to fail after sun exposure, and is more suitable for lightweight transparent sunscreen formulas.
• Q5: What sunscreen agents is PBSA suitable for compounding?
A5: It can be perfectly compounded with water-soluble and oil-soluble UVA/UVB filters, synergistically improve full-spectrum sun protection performance, stabilize formula system and optimize product skin feel.
• Q6: Do you support stable large-batch supply all year round?
A6: Sufficient factory production capacity ensures continuous, stable and large-volume supply throughout the year to support long-term cooperative orders and customized formula demands.
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