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phototoxic

British  
/ ˌfəʊtəʊˈtɒksɪk /

adjective

  1. (of cosmetics, skin creams, etc) making the skin hazardously sensitive to sunlight

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

As a result, there is no photobleaching and no phototoxic damage, making the approach safer for delicate brain tissue.

From Science Daily Dec. 19, 2025

The first is a phototoxic reaction, often seen with certain antibiotics such as tetracycline.

From New York Times Jul. 6, 2023

The pathology would help him distinguish the inflammation of hives from the more destructive phototoxic reaction, which destroys the skin cells.

From New York Times Jul. 6, 2023

“Antibiotics can cause photosensitivity and phototoxic reactions, meaning that they’re going to worsen your sunburn,” Rech says.

From Time Aug. 3, 2016

“Those can definitely be phototoxic, especially the retinoids,” says Rech.

From Time Aug. 3, 2016

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