At the onset of every summer, many organizations publish their newest lists of the best sunscreens for that season. These lists tend not to agree with one another, and so the associated debates and disagreements continue, one season after another.

The root cause of this situation appears to be the less-than-clear definition of sunscreen performance, as well as its related testing methods.

Accordingly, let us attempt to explain this situation in layman’s terms and in the hopes of advancing better ideas from dedicated professionals in this field.

Let’s start by randomly quoting one of the latest best sunscreen lists: In CNN’s “The best sunscreens in 2023 tested by editors”, it is stated, “we didn’t test how well these sunscreens protect skin from the sun — for that, we relied on information from the US Food and Drug Administration and the experts we talked to.

Too many variables (skin type, time of day, the sun’s intensity, etc.) made it impossible to accurately measure efficacy in our real-world testing.

Rather, we had multiple testers with different skin types and tones test them for other variables such as feel, appearance on the skin, smell, ease of application and more.”

In other words, the performance and effectiveness of sunscreen, which are the primary reasons for using the product, have become so confusing that most people avoid the topic altogether.

Instead, they focus only on the sensory factors. Of course, sunscreens should be pleasant to wear so that people are willing to apply them. However, sensory factors should not replace effectiveness in the judgments of product quality.

We will focus on the performance aspect of sunscreen in our discussion here.

The metric most often used when describing sunscreen performance is SPF, the Sunscreen Performance Factor, which is a measurement of how long it takes for UV rays to hit and damage your skin. For example, SPF 30 means that when you wear this sunscreen, it will take you 30 times longer to burn compared to when you are not wearing any sunscreen at all.

Essentially, the sunscreen industry has adopted a performance metric that measures the UV ray dosage that reaches skin with sunscreen applied relative to the dosage that reaches skin without sunscreen.

Consequently, there are many variables that impact the measurable performance and apparent effectiveness of sunscreen. Skin type and irradiation source are commonly mentioned, as in the CNN article from earlier.

These two factors are important, but they are relatively easy to control. The skin type of a particular consumer is fixed, and when comparing the skin’s reaction to irradiation with and without sunscreen, the same sunlight source is normally used.

The largest variable influencing sunscreen’s effectiveness on a consumer’s skin is the amount of sunscreen applied and the quality of that application.

Due to the nature of UV prevention ingredients,  consumers cannot see with the naked eye the sunscreen that they have applied to their skin.

Therefore, they cannot easily judge if they have applied enough sunscreen or applied it evenly. However, the amount and uniformity of sunscreen on skin are the primary factors that determine the effectiveness of a particular sunscreen application.

Consumers are often told to use one ounce of sunscreen on their entire body; in other words, approximately enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass. This is obviously vague and not at all quantitative.

As for the quality of sunscreen application, which determines the uniformity of coverage on skin, this is even more difficult to perceive and is rarely conveyed to consumers.

The performances of sunscreens are professionally tested before the sunscreens are put on the market. There are several standard testing methods instituted by governmental and industrial regulatory organizations, but they are essentially the same in that they all measure the relative UV ray dosage that reaches the skin with and without sunscreen applied.

In these testing methods, the type of skin (substrate), the type of light source (irradiation), the amount of sunscreen (weight per area), and the end point (skin reddening or darkening) are carefully specified.

However, the quality of application (uniformity of coverage) is not carefully controlled or monitored. The end point determination is often a visual determination and is therefore not very quantitative.

These factors, coupled with the fact that tests are often measuring the last few percentages of the total irradiation reaching skin, make accurate sunscreen performance testing a well-known challenge.

For example, to tell the difference between SPF 50 (100/2) and SPF 100 (100/1) is to measure the difference between 2% and 1% of the original UV irradiation; consequently, small variations in measurements can lead to large differences in the calculated SPF.

As such, there have been many reported conflicts regarding the reliability of sunscreen efficacy tests.

In addition, it is logically challenging to test and label the performance of a sunscreen product when the product’s true performance is only on display after it is properly applied to a skin. It’s like trying to test a tube of oil paint to determine its degree of virtuosity, even though it can only attain virtuosity after being applied to canvas by a virtuoso.

The intended objective of applying sunscreen is to prevent harmful sun rays from reaching the consumer’s skin. Therefore, the only true test of a sunscreen’s effectiveness needs to be performed in real time, on the skin, and in a real-life scenario.

While an easy and convenient way to measure the real-life performance of sunscreen is not yet widely available, we hope that the obvious need for such a technology will soon motivate its invention.

Once a relevant performance metric becomes available to everyday consumers, they will be able to easily pick the best performing products. When that happens, the sunscreen industry will be fundamentally changed.

As we have detailed in past articles, sunscreen technologies that allow for pleasant and uniform coverage on skin are essential to the creation of sunscreen products that perform well in real life.

These products will enable every consumer to easily master the art of sunscreen application, thereby becoming the obvious number one pick of every best sunscreen list.

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Plastic waste polluting the oceans has unfortunately become a familiar image but what about the pollution that we can’t physically see? 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotion and a total of 82,000 chemicals from personal-care products are estimated to wash into the oceans each year.

As one aspect of a wider trend that is resulting in more eco-conscious consumers, we have witnessed a significant increase in public, political and scientific interest in the effect of suncare products on marine life, in particular coral reefs. Google searches for “reef-safe sunscreen” more than quadrupled from 2014 – 2019, putting it firmly at the top of the personal care agenda.

There is a widespread belief that some UV filter compounds within these sun protection products have detrimental impacts on marine organisms. “Pollution in the environment from chemical sunscreens can result in a reduced resilience to climate change events, and even contribute to reproductively impaired organisms, including coral and fish, that can go locally extinct in a matter of generations by inducing sterility and reproductive failure,” says Cheryl Woodley, Research Scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Indeed, many tourist hotspots around the world have passed laws against potentially harmful sunscreens. In 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to prohibit the sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate which many researchers suggest are harmful to aquatic life. Similar laws have been passed in the US Virgin Islands, Bonaire Island in the Caribbean, the Pacific island nation of Palau and Aruba.

But in reality, we know very little about the effect of sunscreen on the environment. In 2018, The International Coral Reef Initiative released a report stating that much of the research to date is limited because it has been conducted in laboratory settings rather than in real environments and also focuses on individual chemicals, rather than sunscreens as a whole.

This concern is voiced by many others in the scientific community. In April 2021, researchers from the University of York noted that more studies are required on the environmental effect of sunscreen on coral reefs across the globe. Dr Brett Sallach, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York said: “Undoubtedly products that can help protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation on human health are hugely important, and therefore we need reliable and extensive evidence to suggest any changes or scaling back of these products”.

This area of increasing interest is certainly complex and driving demand for marine-friendly suncare solutions is challenging manufacturers and brands to formulate products that protect both the skin and the environment.

What exactly is marine safe?

So what does marine and reef safe really mean? Well, much like the research, these terms lack clarity. Whilst most consumers support the move towards environmentally friendly sun protection, it can be confusing to understand what this entails.

There is no agreed-upon definition for commonly used terms such as ‘reef safe’ or ‘marine safe’. These claims are also not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other worldwide governing bodies within or outside the beauty and personal care market, meaning the manufacturers of suncare products are not required to test if their products are safe for marine environments. “While brands have developed their own testing methods to put these claims on their packaging, they’re not all validated methods,” says clean cosmetic chemist, Krupa Koestline. With this lack of scientific regulation, many argue that the terms are simply marketing tools to ensure customer engagement and brand loyalty.

A closer look at the ingredients

Based on ongoing research, what many do agree on is that marine safe suncare products are those free of chemical ingredients which are likely to damage coral reefs and ocean life such as oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene. Some laboratory-based research suggests that oxybenzone can increase a coral’s susceptibility to bleaching, damage its DNA, cause deformities and interfere with its hormonal process for growth and reproduction.

According to Craig Downs PhD, Executive Director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, whilst these are the most widely studied chemical ingredients, there are other chemicals found in sunscreens and personal care products that could be harmful to the marine environment. Plus, of course, a lack of data and adequate research doesn’t mean a given ingredient is safe.

This research however only applies to chemical sunscreens which absorb harmful UV rays and turn the energy into heat. The other category of sunscreen is known as physical or mineral sunscreen, which works in a similar way whilst also creating a protective barrier on top of the skin to deflect and scatter incoming UV rays. Many people believe that these physical sunscreens are safer for marine life and coral reefs than chemical alternatives.

Mineral sunscreen formulations which often include zinc oxide have become increasingly popular due to this belief; in 2019 online beauty seller, Look Fantastic, reported that searches for mineral sunscreens had risen 314% year on year. Yet, whilst chemical sunscreens get most of the bad press, mineral sunscreens have their own environmental controversies; some studies suggest that zinc oxide can also cause coral bleaching, plus, the process of mining zinc is energy-intensive and has links to other environmental issues such as pollution.

Thankfully, in April 2021, scientists at the University of Sheffield announced they have developed a more environmentally friendly way to make it. Instead of the furnace method which requires heating to more than 900 degrees celsius, solid zinc is placed in a vat with water and ionic liquid, a type of salt that melts at unusually low temperatures. The team believes the new method uses 97% less energy than the furnace method, and the process can be fine-tuned to deliver the crystal shape and size needed for different products.

And this is important because, it’s not just about the ingredient itself, but the size of it. Some mineral sunscreen formulas use nanoparticles of zinc oxide or titanium oxide which could still damage coral and be absorbed by other forms of marine life. To be safe, particles must be ‘non-nano’ – above 100 nanometers in diameter or more. According to Casper Ohm, a marine biologist and senior research writer at Water Pollution, reef-safe sunscreens “are made with bigger ‘natural-sized’ particles that are healthier for marine life and the local ecosystem.”

Concentration must also be taken into account. “Even if you have something relatively safe, having 5,000 people getting into the water at a single beach, the oils from most sunscreen products can induce toxicity,” says Dr Craig Downs PhD. A study he carried out in 2015 found that benzophenone-3 had a toxic effect on coral even at a concentration equivalent to just one drop in 6.5 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Where to go from here?

With such ambiguity, it can be difficult for consumers and indeed professionals in the personal care industry to identify the environmental impact of a suncare product.

Going some way to resolve this issue, in-cosmetics Global exhibitor, BASF’s Care Creations^® has created EcoSun^® Pass – a methodology that evaluates the environmental compatibility of UV filter systems in sunscreens. Specially developed for sun protection products, the methodology supports the transparent assessment of UV filters based on internationally recognised criteria and comprises eight different parameters, from biodegradation and aquatic toxicity to endocrine disruption potential. Plus, the scientific results are not limited to the BASF product portfolio; the platform can be used across the board as it evaluates all widely used UV filters transparently.

Dr. Christian Cremer, Director Global Development & Technical Service UV Protection, Personal Care Solutions Europe says: “As the world’s market leader in suncare ingredients, we want to support our customers in increasing the environmental compatibility of their products. Based on the latest scientific findings, our EcoSun Pass enables us to advise formulators already during the development stage, which UV filter combinations are best suited for their application – in the interest of both the consumer and the environment.”

As interest in the topic increases, so does the number of resources available. Haereticus Environmental Laboratory publishes a yearly list of chemicals and attributes in personal care products that can have a detrimental effect on aquatic and marine ecosystems.  Elsewhere, the Environmental Working Group produce an annual Guide to Sunscreens which includes more than 1,800 products with SPF, including more than 900 recreational sunscreens.

Visitors to in-cosmetics Global 2021 will also be able to access a wide variety of environmentally-friendly ingredients for sun care applications.  For example, global suppliers of UV filters, functional ingredients and other cosmetic raw materials, like Symrise, BASF and DSM will be displaying their sun protection ranges comprising eco-friendly solutions for UVA, UVB and ‘broad spectrum’.

The future of eco-friendly suncare

The part suncare has to play in the climate change debate is likely to continue as more research is carried out. “Sunscreen compounds may contribute to the background stress on corals, but so do other factors, such as nutrient pollution and overfishing, which are having a far greater effect. Sometimes there is a tendency to panic, and there is a danger that people will come to the wrong conclusions and take focus away from the real difficulties” says Prof Jörg Wiedenmann, head of the Coral Reef Laboratory at the University of Southampton.

Formulators and personal care professionals have murky waters to navigate when considering environmentally-friendly suncare solutions. But one thing that is for sure is sun protection will always be necessary. With the beauty and personal care industry constantly innovating and researching, we can hope the future is bright.

Interested in learning more about suncare? Take a deep dive into the effects of Vitamin D with Dr Barbara Brockway.

To help our customers create innovative products that really meet consumers’ needs and desires, we keep track of relevant scientific developments and, crucially, current and future market trends. We are constantly looking for efficient suppression of radical formation, improved sensory features and, increasingly important, higher environmental compatibility. The environmental aspect can be addressed by the selection of most efficient UV filters with better environmental profile, used at lowest possible concentrations.

Talking of low UV filter concentrations – how does that affect the final product?

Of course, we do not compromise on performance. In fact, a low UV filter load even helps us meet consumers’ increasing demand for effective sun protection that feels as light as possible. Usually, this result is not easy to achieve, since an increase in the SPF value typically requires a higher UV filter load that, in turn, often leads to oily or greasy formulations. However, with the right UV filter combination, we achieve effective results: an SPF50 formulation can be based on more than 30% UV filters, but depending on the filters selected, the same performance can be achieved with only 15% UV filters. Our goal has always been to develop molecules that provide stronger protection while reducing material usage. All our newly introduced UV filters provide the same levels of protection but allow for a lower filter load. What’s more, BASF not only offers the broadest portfolio of UV filters in the market but also a wide range of emollients and emulsifiers that pave the way for formulations with pleasant sensory properties meeting the consumers’ demand.

What other challenges do formulators currently face?

Formulating sunscreens has become increasingly complex. This is partly due to the stringent regulatory background. When it comes to UV filter choice, the strictest limitations are in the US market, where no new UV filter has been approved for decades. But consumers’ awareness of the harmful effects of UV light on human skin has increased, too – and with that also consumers’ expectations on the performance of sunscreens. Sun protection has two pillars, beauty and health. To be successful on the market, sun care products need to meet various requirements: a high SPF value and UVA protection, water resistance, photostability and, as mentioned earlier, certain sensory properties. Still, there is no one size fits all approach. Even for one and the same person, requirements may differ. Balanced sun protection is key: from low SPF products for short sun exposures in the morning or evening to products with very high SPF for high intensity light or longer stays in the sun. What’s more, there are also major regional disparities. Due to the differing preferences of the end consumers, it is not possible to develop sun care formulations that can be brought to the global market without regional adaptation.

What are the most important regional differences that sun care formulators need to consider?

We are monitoring the market globally as newly developed technologies – often in Asia – are transferred to Europe, and vice versa. The formulation is, however, very much dependent on the customer in focus and their request. In Europe, the dominant market for UV filters is beach care, so sunscreens are very much performance and safety driven. In such areas with dryer climatic conditions, heavier formulations with high protection factors and water resistance are perceived as more caring. In Asia however, sun care products are mainly used in the daily skin care routine, making sensory properties much more important. So, for hot and humid climates, light and dry sensory are key parameters. And to make things even more complicated, the selection of approved UV filters and the maximal concentrations that can be used vary in different regions – as do the performance requirements for identical claims.

BASF claims to be the leading supplier for UV-filters. In what way does your sun care offering differ from that of your competitors?

BASF brings together leading expertise in UV protection, beauty and skin care to help create the products that people want. Being an innovation driving company in sun care, we continue to bring new products to the market despite the complex regulatory background. Four out of five recently approved UV filters on the market are BASF developments. We are recognized for our high competence in all areas of sunscreen development, from research competence to product development and all the way to regulatory questions. Our aim is to offer our customers tailor-made solutions, whether in terms of claim substantiation, sensory requirements, application forms or fulfilling market requirements. In doing so, we take advantage of our broad portfolio of ingredients used in sun protection: an extensive UV-filter portfolio combined with a broad range of emollients, emulsifiers, polymers and actives. Being positioned in that way, we offer complete sun care solutions to our customers matching their specific needs. That’s what we call our 360° approach to sun protection.

Can you name a concrete example of how you support formulators during development phase?

We have recently launched a new generation of BASF’s Sunscreen Simulator, the digital lab for sun care formulations. Free of charge, our internet-based solution enables formulators to explore the performance of sunscreens under development before starting costly in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Thanks to this virtual prototyping, we help our customers not only save money but also reduce their products’ time to market. The tool provides real-life calculations and insights into aspects like photo interaction between different UV filters to confirm photostability, or the effects of boosting through UV filter partitioning into water and oil phases and scattering of particulate UV filters. The updated version allows users to customize their simulator platforms according to individual needs by adjusting factors such as SPF and UVA metrics, region and application amount. After initially being presented more than 20 years ago, our Sunscreen Simulator has undergone continuous improvement and has long since become an industry benchmark.

 Learn more about Sun Protection by BASF, and watch their video update

An interview with Marcel Schnyder, Head Global Technical Center Sun care, BASF.

Marcel Schnyder has a lifetime experience in home and personal care area and started his career at Ciba-Geigy 40 years ago. He worked in technical services for optical brighteners for detergents as well as in antimicrobial business for home and personal care applications in close cooperation with customers. For more than 10 years, he has been responsible for the global technical center sun care and established the technical support on UV filters for Ciba and then with BASF after the merger with BASF. Marcel is a member of the German IFSCC and presented papers at international congresses such as in-cosmetics, ABC or Coschem.

BASF claims to be the leading supplier for UV-filters. This means you need to live up to high expectations as well on innovation. How do you manage that?

We are recognised for our high competence in all areas of sunscreen development, from research competence to product development and all the way to regulatory questions. The last four highly efficient UV-filters launched are from BASF. On top of that, we take advantage of our broad portfolio across all personal care products: We offer complete Suncare solutions to our customers that match their specific needs.

What are currently the biggest challenges in UV-filter development?

In spite of the complex regulatory background to register new filters, we continue to bring new products to market. Our latest example is Tinosorb S Lite Aqua. It brings broad-band UV protection to the water phase, allowing to reduce the UV filter load in the oil phase, for more formulation flexibility and lighter formulations. Like all our innovative UV filters, it combines high absorption performance with photostability.

What are the new trends in sun protection?

We are constantly looking for improved sensory features, efficient suppression of radical formation and higher environmental compatibility. We are applying these principles to our whole range of suncare products to serve the growing need for balanced sun protection. This means the right sun protection for every day, from low SPF products for short sun exposures in the morning or evening to products with very high SPF for high intensity light or longer stays in the sun.

What importance do regional differences have for sun care?

Due to the differences in the regulatory framework and differing preferences of the end consumers it is very difficult or even not possible to develop suncare formulations that can be brought to the global market without regional adaptation. While sunscreens used for beach care for example in Europe are very much performance and safety driven, suncare products in Asia are mainly used in the daily skincare routine where sensorial aspects play a more important role. In general, in hot and humid areas a light and dry sensory is a key parameter, while a heavier formulation may be perceived as more caring and protecting in areas with dryer climatic conditions. The selection of approved UV filters and the maximal concentrations that can be used are different in different regions and so are performance requirements for identical claims.

BASF at in-cosmetics Global: www.in-cosmetics.com/BASFThe post All about suncare – a 60-second interview with BASF’s Head Global Technical Center Sun Care first appeared on in-cosmetics Connect.]]> https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/uncategorized/suncare/all-about-suncare-a-60-second-interview-with-basfs-head-global-technical-center-sun-care/feed/ 0 5310 https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/news-category/habits-and-trends-in-the-suncare-retail-market-in-brazil/ https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/news-category/habits-and-trends-in-the-suncare-retail-market-in-brazil/#respond Fri, 15 Sep 2017 21:14:51 +0000 http://new-incos-news.bitnamiapp.com/?p=4890 By Silvia Lourenço A Mintel’s survey carried out in December 2016 reveals that 33% of the interviewed people use suncare products every day, including during the winter, however, 35% of them said they often forget to apply them. Although the suncare retail market is growing each day in Brazil, the suncare use is still seasonal […]

CONUSBAT will once again organise the Regulatory Workshop for in-cosmetics Global, which is being held on Wednesday 5th April 2017 at the ExCel Centre, London with the topic: ‘The ever-changing regulatory landscape in Europe’.

In previewing this workshop, Dr. Bhavika Patel, Regulatory Project Manager & Toxicologist with CONUSBAT addresses the following: Are nanoparticles in sunscreen safe?

What are nanoparticles?

Nanoparticles are particles with one or more dimension in the scale of less than 100nm (one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter). They exhibit different properties compared with larger particles of the same material, due mostly to the high surface area-to-volume ratio, which can make the particles very reactive. There are various health and environmental concerns around nanoparticles because they are able to penetrate cells in organisms, and there is still more to learn about their interactions with biological systems. Nanoparticles used in sunscreens are mostly either titanium dioxide (TiO2) or zinc oxide (ZnO).

How do nanoparticles work in sunscreens?

Titanium dioxide is effective for protection against UVB (and some UVA) rays, however, it should always be used in combination with zinc oxide to attain true broad spectrum protection. Zinc oxide can provide greater protection from UVA rays, and amongst all sunscreen actives, Zinc oxide is unique in that it is a true broad-spectrum blocker protecting from UVA, UVB and even UVC light. Bulkier particles of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been used in sunscreens for decades. Those sunscreens look white when rubbed onto the skin because particles of this size reflect visible light. But when these sunscreen ingredients are manufactured into nanoparticles – usually 25 to 50 nanometers wide – this is different. Despite clumping together when mixed into sunscreen, nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide not only retain their highly effective UV light-absorbing capacity, but also absorb and scatter visible light, rendering them transparent on the skin.

The formulation of nanoparticles in cosmetics poses a technical challenge because the properties of nanoparticles may vary considerably depending on their size, shape, surface area and coating. Not everything is known as of now about the performance mechanism and the physicochemical specifics; therefore, more research is essential in order to maximize the sun protection properties and to minimize potential risks of mineral sunscreens. Yet even with the existing uncertainties, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are seen as excellent choices for sunscreen formulations.

What is the influence of the particle size on the sun protection?

UVA penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB and has long been known to play a major part in skin aging and wrinkling (photoaging). Studies over the past two decades also show that UVA contributes to and may even initiate the development of skin cancers. Larger particles offer greater UVA protection and, therefore, manufacturers must find a balance between nano-/micro particles. Zinc oxide particles formulated in sunscreens are most often larger than those of titanium dioxide. Thus zinc oxide assures greater UVA protection; whereas, the formulation still appears clear on the skin.

Do nanoparticles penetrate the skin?

The vast majority of studies on skin penetration of TiO2 and/or ZnO nanoparticles indicate that TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles do not reach viable skin cells, but rather remain on the skin surface. It is therefore highly likely that if sunscreens are used as intended, nanoparticles will not achieve significant concentrations in the systemic circulation (Smijs and Pavel 2011). The SCCS concluded in 2012 that “in sunscreens, [ZnO nanoparticles] can be considered to not pose any risk of adverse effects in humans after application on healthy, intact or sunburnt skin”. Similarly, “TiO2 nanomaterials in a sunscreen formulation are unlikely to lead to systemic exposure to nanoparticles through human skin to reach viable cells of the epidermis, dermis, or other organs”.

Do nanoparticles cause skin damage under the influence of sunlight?

Titanium dioxide, and to a lesser extent zinc oxide, are photo-catalysts and form free radicals when exposed to UV radiation; nanoparticle sizes of these minerals are more affected than larger particles. Therefore, commonly surface coated particles are formulated, which can reduce the photo-activity by as much as 99 percent (SCCNFP 2000, Pan et al., 2009). The potential effects of photo irritation and photo-sensitization of ZnO were discussed in the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety report (SCCS, 2012); there was no evidence of any positive findings of photo-irritation and photo-sensitization after topical application of the mineral to intact skin of human volunteers. The European Union also reviewed 15 types of coated titanium dioxide in sunscreen and concluded manufacturers could use any form (SCCS 2013), as well as non-coated types, as long as data indicate their safety in use.

Can nanoparticles cause lung damage when inhaled?

Breathing in nanoparticles can lead to lung toxicity and inflammation. Some tests suggest that this could also lead to cancer. In view of this, the European cosmetics regulation lays down to not using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide nanoparticles in applications that would lead to any significant inhalation exposure such as powders or sprayable products.

The International Agency for Research on Carcinogens has classified titanium dioxide as a possible carcinogen when inhaled in high doses (IARC 2006). The lungs have difficulty clearing small particles, and the particles may pass from the lungs into the bloodstream. Insoluble nanoparticles that penetrate skin or lung tissue can cause extensive organ damage.

AUTHOR: Dr. Bhavika Patel, Regulatory Project Manager & Toxicologist, CONUSBAT.

For more information about CONUSBAT’s Workshop, please click here

For more information about CONUSBAT please visit the website at www.conusbat.comThe post The ever-changing Regulatory landscape in Europe – Are nanoparticles in sunscreen safe? first appeared on in-cosmetics Connect.]]> https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/uncategorized/suncare/the-ever-changing-regulatory-landscape-in-europe-are-nanoparticles-in-sunscreen-safe/feed/ 0 4230 https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/uncategorized/skincare/anti-wrinkle-v-anti-ageing-whats-best-for-asian-skin/ https://connect.in-cosmetics.com/uncategorized/skincare/anti-wrinkle-v-anti-ageing-whats-best-for-asian-skin/#respond Tue, 14 Jun 2016 13:55:37 +0000 http://new-incos-news.bitnamiapp.com/?p=2170 At in-cosmetics Asia in 2015, Michelle Yeomans, editor of CosmeticsDesign-Asia.com, looked at Anti-Wrinkle v Anti-Ageing: debunking the myth SPF based products are the best protection for Asian skin. Skin care protection in Asia is about obtaining clearer, whiter skin and treating pigmentation irregularities from as young as fifteen. According to experts, UVA protection rather than SPF will […]