Sunscreening agents

chemical compound

ZnO is a white powder insoluble in water

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, sun lotion or sun cream, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that helps protect against sunburn and prevent skin cancer. Sunscreens come as lotions, sprays, gels, foams (such as an expanded foam lotion or whipped lotion), sticks, powders and other topical products. Sunscreens are common supplements to clothing, particularly sunglasses, sunhats and special sun protective clothing, and other forms of photoprotection (such as umbrellas). Sunscreen is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

chemical compound

chemical compound

Umbelliferone, also known as 7-hydroxycoumarin, hydrangine, skimmetine, and '''beta-umbelliferone''', is a natural product of the coumarin family.

Oxybenzone or benzophenone-3 or BP-3 (trade names Milestab 9, Eusolex 4360, Escalol 567, KAHSCREEN BZ-3) is an organic compound belonging to the class of aromatic ketones known as benzophenones. It takes the form of pale-yellow crystals that are readily soluble in most organic solvents. It is widely used in sunscreen formulations, plastics, toys, furniture finishes, and other products to limit UV degradation. In nature, it can be found in various flowering plants (angiosperms). The compound was first synthesised in Germany by chemists König and Kostanecki in 1906.

Dibenzylideneacetone or dibenzalacetone, often abbreviated dba, is an organic compound with the formula C17H14O. It is a pale-yellow solid insoluble in water, but soluble in ethanol.

chemical compound

Avobenzone (trade names Parsol 1789, Milestab 1789, Eusolex 9020, Escalol 517, Neo Heliopan 357 and others, INCI Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane) is an organic molecule and an oil-soluble ingredient used in sunscreen products to absorb the full spectrum of UVA rays.

chemical compound

Homosalate is an organic compound used in some sunscreens. It is made by the Fischer–Speier esterification of salicylic acid and 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol, the latter being a hydrogenated derivative of isophorone. Contained in 45% of U.S. sunscreens, it is used as a chemical UV filter. The salicylic acid portion of the molecule absorbs ultraviolet rays with a wavelength from 295 nm to 315 nm, protecting the skin from sun damage. The hydrophobic trimethyl cyclohexyl group provides greasiness that prevents it from dissolving in water.

Octocrylene is an organic compound used as an ingredient in sunscreens and cosmetics. It is an ester formed by the Knoevenagel condensation of 2-ethylhexyl cyanoacetate with benzophenone. It is a viscous, oily liquid that is clear and colorless.

Dioxybenzone (benzophenone-8) is an organic compound used in sunscreen to block UVB and short-wave UVA (ultraviolet) rays. It is a derivative of benzophenone. It is a yellow powder with a melting point of 68 °C. It is insoluble in water, but moderately soluble in ethanol and isopropanol.

Cinoxate is an organic compound used as an ingredient in some types of sunscreens. It is an ester formed from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethoxyethanol. It is a slightly yellow viscous liquid that is insoluble in water, but miscible with alcohols, esters, and vegetable oils.

chemical compound

Enzacamene (INN; also known as 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or 4-MBC) is an organic camphor derivative that is used in the cosmetic industry for its ability to protect the skin against UV, specifically UV B radiation. As such, it is used in sunscreen lotions and other skincare products claiming a SPF value.

chemical compound

chemical compound

Bisoctrizole (INN/USAN, marketed by BASF as Tinosorb M, by DSM Nutritional Products as Parsol Max, by Everlight Chemical as Eversorb M, and by MPI as Milestab 360, INCI methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol) is a phenolic benzotriazole that is added to sunscreens to absorb UV rays. It is a broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation absorber, absorbing UVB as well as UVA rays. It also reflects and scatters UV.

chemical compound

Sulisobenzone (benzophenone-4) is an ingredient in some sunscreens which protects the skin from damage by UVB and UVA ultraviolet light.

Iscotrizinol (USAN, INCI diethylhexyl butamido triazone) is an organic compound used in sunscreens to absorb UVB and some UVA radiation with a peak protection at 310 nm. It is one of the most photostable chemical sunscreens known today with 25 hours required to lose 10% of its SPF protection ability. It is marketed as Uvasorb HEB by 3V Sigma.

chemical compound

chemical compound

chemical compound

Ecamsule (USAN, trade name Mexoryl SX, INCI terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid) is an organic compound which is added to many sunscreens to filter out UVA rays. It is a benzylidene camphor derivative, many of which are known for their excellent photostability.

chemical compound

Bemotrizinol (INN, USAN, INCI name bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, BEMT; marketed as EscalolS, Parsol Shield, and TinosorbS) is an oil-soluble organic compound that is added to sunscreens to absorb UV rays.

Amiloxate is an organic molecule used as UV filter in sunscreen products. It is approved for use in the European Union (since 1997) and is undergoing regulatory evaluation in the United States.