SUNSCREENS

Sunscreen are the cosmetic preparations used to protect the skin from ultraviolet
radiation of sun.
The light emitted by sun consists of frequency bands of infrared, visible and
ultraviolet radiation, of these UV rays are harmful to most humans.
(UV SPECTRUM 100-400 nm)
UVA (315-400nm) radiation penetrates the skin and cause damage to cell
membrane, causes ageing of skin.
UVB (280-315nm) rays cause skin cancer and can cause damage to cornea and
lens of eye.
UVC (100-280nm) generally absorbed by earth’s atmosphere and are not harmful.
Sunscreen preparations are rated(evaluated) with a sun protection factor (SPF),
which indicates how much protection against UV rays product provides.
Calculated by: Period of protection(with sunscreen) Period of natural
protection(without sunscreen)

PROTECTION AGAINST SUN

1. Limit time in mid day sun-strongest between 10am-4pm
2. Watch for the UV index
3. Use shade wisely
4. Wear protective clothing
5. Use sunscreen

SUNBURN PREPARATIONS-
1. Sunscreen preparation
2. Palliatives preparation-relief of irritation and other problems resulting from
sunburn
3. Simulative preparation(artificial suntan eg. Henna, olive oil, walnut juice)

1.Sunscreen preparation
AN IDEAL SUNSCREEN CHARACTERISTICS:
•It should have broad spectrum activity.
•It should not cause any irritation.
•Should be economical.
 Water resistance.
 Allow some tanning
 Provide protection against both UVB & UVA radiation.
2.Sun damage preprations-
 Alleviate pain.
 Sooth & moisture the skin.
 Provide cooling effect.
 Easy spreadability.
CLASSIFICATION: Sunscreen preparation (photoprotection)-
Sunscreen ingredient are usually referred to as UV filters.

SUNSCREEN AGENTS:
 BENZYL SALICYLATE AND SALICYLATE DERIVATIVES
These are first sunscreen agents which provides UVB protection, but not UVA.
Salicylate derivatives used as sunscreen agents are paraphenyl salicylate, benzyl
salicylate,etc.
 BENZYL CINNAMATE AND CINNAMATE DERIVATIVES:
Are effective UVB blocker and used in combination with other ingredients.
 PABA(p-aminobenzoic acid):
This compound is effective in UVB range. Many individuals experienced allergic
reactions to it so now most of the sunscreen lotions are PABA free.
 BUTYLMETHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE AND RELATED
COMPOUND:
They are also known as Parsol A which is an effective UVA blocker.
 ZINC OXIDE AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE :
These two inorganic compounds are used to block UV radiation as their
preparations are opaque to light. Sunscreen lotions containing these are normally
white.
 ANTHRANILATES :
These compounds absorbs UVA spectrum rays and usually combined with UVB
agent to broaden spectrum.
Additional ingredients of sunscreen-

Waterproofing agents
Photo stabilizers
Emollients

FORMULATION:
• Suitable sunscreen agents are used.
• Suitable base can be used to make a final product of an aqueous or
alcoholic lotion, a fatty cream, oil or emulsion.
• The selection of vehicle contribute to its effectiveness e.g. deionized
water.
• Emusifiers are used to keep formulation stable (in assisting formation
of homogeneous mixtures of both water and oil).e.g Cetosteryl
alcohol.
• Glycerin can be used as moisturiser in some sunscreens.
• Thickening agent to enhance consistency eg crosspolymer.
• Certain natural oils such as coconut oil, peanut oil, olive oil have a
fairly high absorption ability of UV light.
• An Anti-oxidant is to be incorporated, if a natural oil is used, to
prevent rancidity. • Preservatives like Na Methyl paraben, Na propyl
paraben are used.
• Perfume (added at last).
METHOD OF PREPARATION
 Cream type: It is an emulsion type, prepared by taking oily phase & aqueous
phase separately and heated to liquefy and then mixed with stirring.
 Lotion type: It can be solution or emulsion type, where solution is prepared
by simply mixing ingredients and emulsion type by separately heating
aqueous and oily phase at same temperature and slowly mixed with stirring.
 Solution type: It can be prepared simply by mixing and dissolving sunscreen
agents and other ingredients in suitable vehicle.
 Gel type: It is highly viscous aqueous preparation, in which thickening
agent is separately dispersed in water and then mixed with other ingredients.
STORAGE:
• Should be stored in a cool and dark place.
• Exposing the container to excessive heat or direct sun can cause its ingredients to
become less effective.
• Avoid humid areas for storage as moisture causes sunscreen to become unstable
and could even create a breeding ground for mold.
2.Palliatives preparation-
 relief of irritation and other problems resulting from sunburn.
 These are either aqueous solutions or o/w emulsions & should be able
to protect both protective & cooling effect to relieve the sunburn .
 These preparation should be antiseptic.

Formula

S.N. INGREDIENTS QUANTITY

(gm)
1. Calamine 15.5
2. Zinc oxide 5.0
3. Camphor 1.0
4. Alcohol 10.0
5. Glycerin 10.0
6. Rose water 59.0
7. Methyl parahydroxy benzoate q.s.
Mix the calamine & zinc oxide to smooth paste with the glycerin. Now add
sufficient am. Of rose water to make a cream. Dissolve the camphor in the alcohol
& mix the cream & add water to volume.

SPF(sun protection factor)

SPF is a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce
sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount
of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin. As the SPF value
increases, sunburn protection increases.

The term SPF was adapted by the FDA to describe the effectiveness of sunscreen.
As the SPF value increase – increase the sunprotection
SPF value = MED(PS)
MED(US)

Where,

MED(PS)= minimum erythemal dose for protected skin after application.

MED(US)= minimum erythemal dose for unprotected skin .

EVALUATION
• Some special tests are also necessary for these types of products: • Spectrophotometric
evaluation. • Erythemal damage • Sun-screen index • In-vivo skin testing
1. SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC EVALUATION: This is basically to evaluate the UV radiation
absorption ability of the sun-screen compounds. Using a UV Spectrophotometer and taking
specific concentration of the substance on the preparation, molar extinction coefficient or
absorbency can be determined and compared with any other standard substance.
2.ERYTHEMAL DAMAGE: It is important to estimate the erythemally effective radiation or E-
vitons/sq.cm., transmitted by a sun-tan preparation. The erythemal energy is the product of the
solar energy transmitted through the film of sun-tan preparation and the effectiveness factor at
that wave-length
3. SUN-SCREEN INDEX: This is evaluation of the relative screening activity of the sun-screen
compounds. This is measurement of EXTINCTION CO-EFFICIENT (E 1% 0.1cm) at 308mµ
and comparison with other. 308 mµ is the peak wavelength for effective sun-burn.
4. IN-VIVO SKIN TESTING: • This is a direct test on animal skin, particularly rabbit, the site
normally used is either back-side as this sites have maximum sensitivity. • Preparations are
applied on a specific site and exposed to radiation along with a control unprotected site, for a
specified period of time. • The effects are observed at the end of the period. • Several factors or
variables are to be taken care of during the test as they may influence the results. • Such variables
or factors are radiation source, size of the test field, etc.