Next-Generation Zinc Oxide–Based Sunscreens: Molecular Characteristics and Advantages
Xuefei Bai, Jiajun Yan, Barbara A. Gilchrest
Abstract
Sunscreen usage has evolved from occasionally applied “beach products” to daily skin care for millions of consumers. Recognized benefits of regular sun protection include not only sunburn avoidance, but reduced skin cancer risk, decreased rate of photoaging, and especially for darker skinned users additionally avoidance of hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma (Moradi Tuchayi et al., 2023). Both chemical and mineral, also termed organic and inorganic, sunscreens can convey these benefits. Balanced against these benefits, however, are well recognized problems: for chemical sunscreens, photolability, occasional skin irritation and allergic reactions, as well as concerns for human systemic absorption and environmental damage; and for conventional mineral sunscreens, a cosmetically undesirable “white cast” visible on the skin ( Moradi Tuchayi et al., 2023 Moradi Tuchayi S, Wang Z, Yan J, Garibayan L, Bai X, Gilchrest BA. Sunscreens: Misconceptions and misinformation. J Invest Dermatol (2023) doi Pathak MA, Fitzpatrick TB, Parrish JA. Topical and systemic approaches to protection of human skin against harmful effects of solar radiation. In: Regan JD, Parrish JA, editors. The Science of Photomedicine. NY: Plenum Press; 1983. P. 441-473 Google Scholar ). To address the mineral sunscreen problem, we here describe a newly developed and commercialized zinc oxide preparation that eliminates the cosmetic concerns while rigorously adhering to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements, unlike many currently marketed and incorrectly labelled “mineral” sunscreens ( Moradi Tuchayi et al., 2023 Moradi Tuchayi S, Wang Z, Yan J, Garibayan L, Bai X, Gilchrest BA. Sunscreens: Misconceptions and misinformation. J Invest Dermatol (2023) doi Pathak MA, Fitzpatrick TB, Parrish JA. Topical and systemic approaches to protection of human skin against harmful effects of solar radiation. In: Regan JD, Parrish JA, editors. The Science of Photomedicine. NY: Plenum Press; 1983. P. 441-473 Google Scholar ).