How to Evaluate the Sun Protection Against Dangerous UVB Rays by HelioScreen (now Weneos)

Ultraviolet (UV) rays, from 290 to 400 nm, are a part of the continuous electromagnetic spectrum emitted by the sun which reach the surface of the earth (including Blue Light, Visible and Infrared radiations too).
Among them, while being invisible to the naked eye, UVB (290 – 320 nm) rays penetrate the epidermis, leading to the inflammation of the skin and erythema (sunburn). One way to avoid sun damages to skin is the use of sunscreen products with protection against UVB commonly expressed by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF).

As In Vivo SPF method raises ethical concerns, an alternative method to ISO 24444:2019 was developed by HelioScreen as the starting point of the In Vitro SPF Double Plate method (ISO/CD 23675). For reliable assessment of SPF (reproducibility and accuracy), this innovative spectrophotometric method uses (i) both molded (Helioplate HD6) and sandblasted (Helioplate SB6) PMMA plates, (ii) an automated spreading (HD–SPREADMASTER) and (iii) a UV exposition to take photo–degradation into account.
HelioScreen is able to offer our clients this In Vitro SPF Double plate method to complete our portfolio of sunscreen tests (In Vitro UVAPF according to ISO 24443:2021, Sand Resistance, Water Resistance, etc.).