Sunscreens are well known to prevent damage related to environmental stress, including UV-A and UV-B rays.1,2 Chronic and prolonged exposure to sunlight causes damaging effects: UV-B are responsible for erythema and sunburn, while UV-A causes photo-ageing, acute and chronic photodermatosis and immunosuppression.
UV filters are molecules or molecular complexes that absorb, reflect, or disperse radiation and they represent the main protection measures against UV.3 They are divided into two main types: organic (chemical) and inorganic (physical) filters, due to their molecular nature and mechanism of action. Chemical filters absorb radiations while physical filters are mineral particles that reflect and diffuse them.4
Sun filter concerns
Some organic filters, when affected by radiation, could potentially produce dangerous chemical compounds known to be allergenic and to cross the skin barrier due to their m