Zurko Research and the sun protection: efficacy in the lab vs efficacy outdoors

27 September 2018

There are several methods and studies for evaluating the sun products effectiveness. A number of international protocols regulate how the sun protection factor index (SPF) and the waterproof factor should be evaluated. In addition, there`re also methodologies that allow us to evaluate claims such as sweat resistant; indicated for especially sensitive skin; “long-lasting” effect; “oil-free” texture, sand proof, among others.

However, although at the laboratory level we can totally prove the efficacy and safety of these products, there is a bigger challenge for the sunscreens industry which consists in bringing these scientific methodologies closer to how the consumer really uses this types of products.

Laboratory efficacy and safety methods standardizes details such as for example: 2mg/cm2 for measuring how much quantity of sunscreen it should be applied and for claims as waterproof, the volunteer must do 2 immersions of 20 minutes each so as to prove that the sunscreen still protecting at least 50% of what it protected without the water contact.

Consequently, this means that no matter how safe and effective the sunscreen can be, the consumer lack of information could lead to problems and possible damages to their skin.

If the consumer doesn´t know the importance of applying daily a sunscreen (even when it’s not summer), as well as the quantity of sunscreen so as to be effective and also reapplying sunscreen after each time of going into the water (even if it´s a waterproof product), it won’t exist any 100% effective sunscreen.

For this reason, Zurko Research has been presenting this September 27^th in the international cosmetics event, Cosmetorium, a workshop of the most critical aspects regarding the scientific methodologies versus the real daily use of sunscreens.

www.zurkoresearch.com