Sunscreen Characteristics Quiz

Required Qualities and Characteristics of Sun Care Products

• Provide protection against both UVB and UVA radiation
• Be water-resistant
• Alleviate pain and sooth and moisturize the skin
• Provide a cooling effect
• Be non-odorous and non-sticky
• Be non-staining for skin or clothing
• Have a pleasant feeling during and after application
• Dry quickly and absorb easily after application
• Have easy spreadability
• Be user-friendly
• Be non-toxic, non-irritant, and non-sensitizing

Technical Qualities of Sun Care Products

• Have proven efficacy and/or performance
• Have long-term stability
• Have an appropriate texture
• Have appropriate rheological properties
• Be photostable
• Have dermatological safety

Additional Ingredients of Sunscreens

• (No specific details provided)

Product Forms

• After Sun Preparations (also known as sunburn preparations) used to hydrate the skin and soothe irritated, red, burnt skin

Typical Quality Problems of Sun Care Products

• Valve clogging
• Separation of emulsions
• Microbiological contamination
• Clumping
• Rancidification

Quality Parameters Generally Tested

• Spray characteristics (spray rate, spray pattern)
• Actuation force for aerosol cans
• Pressure test
• Stick hardness test through penetration test using penetrometer
• Pay-off and glide

Efficacy Parameters Generally Tested

• Evaluation of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) performed in vivo, on human subjects

Sun Care Products Definition

• Personal care products designed to provide photoprotection against the harmful radiation of the sun, including both UVA and UVB radiations

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)

• Measures how long it takes for UV rays to redden protected skin (i.e., skin with sunscreen) compared to unprotected skin (i.e., skin without sunscreen)
• As the SPF value increases, sunburn protection increases

Factors that Influence how much UV Radiation we are Exposed to

• Geography
• Altitude
• Time of the year
• Time of the day
• Weather conditions
• Reflection

Factors that Influence the Amount of Solar Energy to which a Consumer is Exposed

• Skin type
• Amount of sunscreen applied
• Reapplication of sunscreen

Broad Spectrum Protection

• Protection against both UVA and UVB rays
• Required to prevent long-term effects

Water Resistance

• Products can be labeled as "water-resistant" or "very water-resistant" depending on how long they can retain the stated SPF after water immersion

UV and the Human Body

• Positive effect: related to vitamin D
• Negative effects: tanning, skin damage, accelerates aging, increases risk of skin cancer, linked with eye diseases and photoaging

Test your knowledge on the essential qualities and characteristics of a sunscreen, including protection, moisturizing, and consumer needs.