Sunscreen Advances and Photoprotection Strategies in Cosmetics

A special issue of Cosmetics (ISSN 2079-9284). This special issue belongs to the section "Cosmetic Formulations".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2025 | Viewed by 2200

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
R&D Department, Complife Italia S.r.l., 27028 San Martino Siccomario, Italy
Interests: dermo-cosmetic treatment; alopecia; antiaging efficacy; utraceutical; sunscreen

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Safeguarding the skin from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a central focus of contemporary dermatology and cosmetic science. Photoprotection strategies rely on sunscreens as frontline products designed to shield the skin from harmful UV rays but also on products or approaches (e.g. food supplements, antioxidants, boosters etc.) to complement their use and provide comprehensive defense against UVR.

The global regulatory framework for sunscreen is fragmented. This fragmentation poses challenges for product innovation and consumer trust. Recently, two new ISO standards methods were introduced to assess the sun protection and the UVA protection factor of emulsions and single-phase formulations. While these standards aim to enhance the precision, ethics, and reliability of sunscreen testing, they also contribute to further fragmentation. Furthermore, since the efficacy of modern sunscreens does not rely only on UV filters, the results of testing in real laboratory settings are essential to understanding their accuracy, reliability, and relevance and to support future sunscreen evaluation and safeguarding consumer health by setting new standards.

Similarly, photoprotection strategies that focus not only on shielding against UV radiation but also on enhancing the skin’s resistance to UV exposure and promoting the repair of UV-induced damage show significant promise. However, further studies are necessary to validate their true efficacy and differentiate substantiated benefits from mere marketing claims.

Dr. Vincenzo Nobile
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • innovative ingredients & formulations for photoprotection
  • advanced methods for sunscreen efficacy testing
  • challenges & emerging trends in sunscreen development
  • evaluation techniques for photoprotection performance
  • phototoxicity & photoallergy: risks and prevention
  • sunscreen safety: toxicology, regulation & compliance
  • clinical research on bioactives with photoprotective properties
  • in vivo & in vitro testing of sunscreen performance
  • dispersion, homogeneity and stability of UV filters in sunscreen formulations
  • environmental impact of sunscreen ingredients
  • epigenetic mechanisms in photoprotection: regulation, adaptation, and skin defense
  • regulatory challenges & global standards
  • oral photoprotection
  • consumer perception & behavioral trends in sunscreen application/use
  • consumer awareness on sun damage
  • photoprotection and skin microbiome

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 1310 KiB  
Review
Lip Photoprotection Patents (2014–2024): Key Trends and Emerging Technologies
by Vanessa Urrea-Victoria, Ana Sofia Guerrero Casas, Leonardo Castellanos, Mairim Russo Serafini and Diana Marcela Aragón Novoa
Cosmetics 2025, 12(4), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics12040161 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 839
Abstract
The lips, due to their unique anatomical characteristics of a thin stratum corneum, the absence of sebaceous glands, and limited melanin content are particularly vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, necessitating specialized photoprotective care. While facial sunscreens are widely available, the development of lip-specific [...] Read more.
The lips, due to their unique anatomical characteristics of a thin stratum corneum, the absence of sebaceous glands, and limited melanin content are particularly vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, necessitating specialized photoprotective care. While facial sunscreens are widely available, the development of lip-specific sun protection products remains underexplored. This study aims to analyze technological trends and innovations in lip photoprotection by reviewing patents published between 2014 and 2024. A comprehensive patent search using the IPC code A61Q19 and the keywords “lip” and “sunscreen” identified 17 relevant patents across China, the United States, and Japan. The patents were examined for active ingredients, formulation strategies, and use of botanical or sustainable excipients. The findings revealed that patented formulations predominantly rely on well-established UV filters such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, octyl methoxycinnamate, and avobenzone, often combined with antioxidants like ferulic acid and rutin for enhanced efficacy. Lipid-based excipients were widely used to improve texture, hydration, and product stability. Although many formulations exhibit a conservative ingredient profile, the strategic combination of UV filters with natural antioxidants and moisturizing lipids demonstrates a multifunctional approach aimed at enhancing both protection and user experience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sunscreen Advances and Photoprotection Strategies in Cosmetics)
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