Abstract:

UV filters are used in sunscreen cosmetics to protect skin from the sunlight. Nowadays, they are also incorporated into other daily-use cosmetics. However, many concerns about their safety have been raised, because they can be absorbed through the skin, further metabolized and eventually bioaccumulated and/or excreted. These percutaneous absorption processes may result in various adverse health effects (i.e., allergic contact dermatitis) and other more serious systemic effects, such as carcinogenic and oestrogenic activity. For this reason, UV filters as well as their maximum allowed concentrations have been regulated by the legislations in force. In this sense, analytical control of UV filters is needed to assure both the efficacy and the safety of cosmetics. The aim of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with the different compounds used as UV filters and the legislation regulating them, and especially to review the analytical methods for their determination in cosmetic products.

Keywords: Analytical methods, Cosmetics, Efficacy, Safety, Sun protection factor, Sunscreens, UV filters.

Full reference:
A. Chisvert, A. Salvador, Ultraviolet Filters in Cosmetics: Regulatory Aspects and Analytical Methods. In: A. Salvador, A. Chisvert, eds. Analysis of Cosmetic Products. 2nd ed. Elsevier; 2018. p 85-106. ISBN: 9780444635082