Sun protection

Classification of sunscreen and

SPF

By- HARSH

4thyr B.Pharm

ASU2020010100204
 Sun protection
• Every skin type needs sun protection
• To prevent photoaging and wrinkles
• To prevent skin cancer
• To prevent hyperpigmentation and brown spots

• UV Rays (particularly wavelength below 320mµ) are

responsible for most of the therapeutic as well as noxious
effects that we attribute to sun-light.
• The UV Spectrum is broken into three parts:
 Very High Energy (UVC)
 High Energy (UVB)
 Low Energy (UVA)
UVA
-Not blocked by window glass.
-Penetrates light clothing.
-Penetrates deeper into the skin.
-Has more long-term effects than UVB

UVB
-“B” for burn.
-Cloud cover provides some protection.
-Intensity varies on Time of day, Season, Weather.

UVC
-Most rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere (blocked by the ozone layer.)
-More dangerous than UVA and UVB.
-Causes serious damage to DNA
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AFFECTING THE SKIN:

Sunburns: the most common and acute response.

Photoaging: the leading cause of skin aging;

damage begins as early as in one’s 20’s.

Cancer: ultraviolet radiation is a known carcinogen.

The effect is cumulative; the more time spent

unprotected in the sun over lifetime, the greater the
risks.
PRINCIPLE OF EFFECTIVENESS OF SUN-SCREENS

1) A protective layer can be provided to the skin that prevents the UV-rays to reach the
skin either by absorbing or by reflecting them.
-Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide both have such tendency.
-Preparations reflecting UV-rays are very effective and used widely.

2) To incorporate substances in preparations to filter the sun-rays by absorbing medium

range UV-rays (280 mµ-320mµ) but allowing rays of higher wavelengths to pass. All
modern sun-tan preparations are based on this principle and contain such substances.
Example like oxybenzone, Tinosorb M
3) Biologically effective substances can be used effectively to prevent symptoms of inflammation with-out
reduction of tanning.

Damage of cells by sunburn liberates histamine in the tissues. So use of antihistaminic substances can avoid
inflammation. Example like hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons may be useful in treating sunburn.

4) Substances that cause or accelerate tanning of the skin can be applied.

- Dioxyacetone causes tanning by forming a brown complex with the keratin of the corneal layer.

- 8-methoxypsoralene when taken 10-20 mg internally 2 hours before exposure to the sun, accelerates tanning
and avoids sunburn.
IDEAL SUN-SCREEN CHARACTERS:
● Absorb light preferentially over the range of 280 - 320mµ.
● Resistance to water
● Be stable to heat, light and perspiration.
● Preferably odorless, if mild odor: accepted by user.
● Be non-toxic, non-irritant, non- sensitizing
● Capable of retaining sunscreening property for several hours.
● Stable under condition of use.
● Non- stain
● Not be rapidly absorbed.
● Be neutral.
● Be rapidly soluble in suitable vehicles.
Sunscreen classification:

● Physical
- Opaque formulations containing: titanium dioxide, talc, kaolin, zinc oxide
- Mechanism: scatters or reflects UV radiation due to large particle size

● Chemical
- Formulations containing one or more: Para-aminobenzoic acid,
benzophenones,cinnamates, salicylates
- Mechanism: absorbs UV radiation
IMPORTANT SUNSCREEN AGENT:
PABA (Para-amino benzoic acid)
-Very effective in the UVB range (200-320 nm).
-Most effective in conc. of 5% in 70% ethanol.
-Maximum benefit when applied 60 minutes prior to exposure (to ensure penetration and binding to
stratum corneum).
-Contact dermatitis can develop.
-May stain clothing.

PABA Esters (Padimate A, Padimate O, Glyceryl PABA)

-Also very effective in UVB range (280-320)
-Most effective in conc. 2.5-8% in 65% alcohol
-May penetrate less effectively than PABA
-Similar application and adverse effect
-Less staining
Benzophenones (oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, sulisobensone)
-Slightly less effective than PABA.
-Absorbs from 250-400 nm spectrum (i.e, UVA & UVB).
-Combined with PABA or PABA ester improves penetration and is superior to either agent
used alone (200-400 nm wavelength coverage).
-Beneficial in preventing photosensitivity reactions.
-Contact dermatitis is rare.

Cinnamates and Salicylates

-Minimally effective, absorb UVB spectrum.
-Generally used in combination with one of the above.
GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR MANUFACTURING

● The product can be

-Simple oil type,
-Cream type,
-Lotion type,
-Aqueous solution type,
-Gel type, the general method will be different.

● Solution types, aqueous or oily, can be prepared by mixing and dissolving the sun-screen
and other ingredients in the vehicle, i.e. water and oil. Perfume should be added all of last.

● Cream preparations are emulsion type and thus employ general procedures of emulsion.

● Lotions can be solutions or emulsion type and can be prepared accordingly.

Oil type :
Ingredient Quantity
Homomenthyl salicylate 8 gm
Mineral oil 92 gm
Perfume Q.S.

Aqueous solution type :

Ingredient Quantity
Filtrosol B 7 gm
Methyl cellulose 0.5 gm
Glycerin 2 gm
Ethyl alcohol 10 gm
Water 80.5 gm
Perfume Q.S.
Cream type : Ingredient Quantity
Homomenthyl salicylate 8 gm
Tween 7.5 gm
Mineral oil 2 gm
Spermaceti 5 gm
Glycerin 5 gm
Water 72.50 gm
Perfume and Preservative Q.S.

Gel type :
Ingredient Quantity
Carboxy vinyl polymer 2 gm
Propylene glycol 9 gm
Triethanolamine 1.5 gm
Filtrosol B 5 gm
Water 82.5 gm
Perfume and Preservative Q.S.
 SUN PROTECTION FACTOR (SPF)
Sunscreens are formulated on the basis Sun Protection Factor (SPF) which is the measure of the
protection offered by a sunscreen from UVB rays.
The Sun Protection Factor of a sunscreen also tells about the time at which the sunscreen needs to
be applied again.
Sunscreens have a number written as Sun Protection Factor, i.e. SPF 15, 20, 30 or 50 on the pack.
The Sun Protection Factor can vary from 1 – 90. These exhibit different levels of sun protection as:
• Low protection: The sunscreens with SPF 15 or below are marked offers low protection.
• Medium protection: The sunscreens with SPF 15 and up to 30 offers medium protection.
• High protection: The sunscreens with SPF 30 up to 50 offers high protection.
• Very high protection: The sunscreens with SPF over 50 offers very high protection.
When to re-apply the sunscreen?
 SPF Value = MED (PS) / MED (US)
– MED (PS) : minimal erythema dose for protected skin

(product applied skin)

– MED (US) : minimal erythema dose for unprotected skin

(product not applied

skin)

Minimal erythema dose (MED), which is the amount of UV radiation that will produce minimal
erythema (sunburn or redness caused by engorgement of capillaries) of an individual's skin within a few
hours following exposure.
● No doubt a high Sun Protection Factor can protect the skin from sunburn-causing UVB rays,
but our skin also needs UVA protection.
● The protection grade of UVA rays is denoted by PA in the sunscreen. PA is levelled by PA+,
PA++, PA+++; the more the plus signs, the more is the protection from UVA rays.
● These days not only the UV rays but IR rays and Urban Pollution have become the concern
for the skin. So, a sunscreen should offer protection against all of these harmful environmental
factors.
● Best example is Derma Essentia SPF 50, PA+++ Sunscreen Gel.
● The Gen-next Encapsulated Ultra-light

Sunscreen Gel is non-oily, non-tacky

& suits normal to oily skin. It protects
the skin from
UVA (PA+++),
UVB (SPF 50),
IR & Urban Pollution (Venuceane & Glycofilm).