Sunscreen Advances and Photoprotection Strategies in Cosmetics

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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• 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