» Benzophenone – 2
- › Insoluble in water.
- › UVA absorber.
- › Stabilises perfumes and coloured personal care products against degradation by UV light.
- › Typical inclusion level is 0.2 – 0.5%.
- › Can be used to stabilise carbomer-based systems.
» Benzophenone – 3
- › UVA and UVB absorber.
- › May be used in sun care preparations at up to 10% in the EU.
» Benzophenone – 4
- › Readily soluble in water, the acid group must be neutralised with any commonly used base.
- › Used to stabilise coloured aqueous based products against UV degradation.
- › Typical usage level is 0.2 – 0.5%.
» Benzophenone – 6
- › Insoluble in water.
- › Offers UVA and UVB absorption.
- › Most commonly used in Nail Varnishes to protect against UV light.
» Benzophenone – 9
- › Soluble in water up to 5%.
- › Used to stabilise dyes in surfactant-based products.
- › Offers increased stability in alkali solutions.
» OMC (Octyl Methoxy Cinnamate)
- › Most commonly used UVB absorber due to extremely high efficacy levels.
- › May be used in European SPF formulations at up to 10%.
- › Effective co-solvent for other organic sunscreens especially Avobenzone.
- › Can be used in non-aqueous and emulsified systems.
» Avobenzone
- › Highly effective UVA absorber.
- › Essential in achieving high star rating SPF products.
- › Can be used at up to 5% in EU formulations.
- › Should be used in conjunction with Octocrylene for stabilisation.
» Octocrylene
- › Effective UVB absorber which offers broad absorption when used in conjunction with other UV absorbers.
- › Excellent solubiliser of other organic sunscreens.
- › Provides photo stabilisation of Avobenzone when used together in formulations.
» Vitamin E Acetate
- › Natural anti-oxidant.
- › Protects the skin from environmental damage.
- › Can prevent build up of damaging free radicals produced in the skin when exposed to UV light.
- › Vitamin E consists of a mixture of natural compounds including alpha, beta, delta and gamma tocopherols.