UV ABSORBERS IN SUN COSMETICS 1978

A comprehensive survey has been carried out to establish which sun‐screen agents are used by the cosmetics industry in Holland. During 1978, some 200 cosmetic sun preparations, composed of forty‐eight brands, were purchased and analysed to determine which u.v. absorbing compounds were present. Most of those found were identified and quantified by means of thin layer chromatography and u.v. spectrometry. A basis for this work was the proposal by the European Cosmetic Manufacturers to produce a positive list of u.v. absorbers. It was felt that by carrying out this survey, some priority could be placed on the most popular materials used by the industry. When comparing those found with the European list of u.v. absorbers 1978, only twenty‐four of the sixty compounds listed could be identified in the samples. The six most frequently used were found to be: 2‐Ethylhexyl.p.methoxycinnamate (nineteen brands). 2‐Phenylbenzimidazole.5‐sulphonic acid (eleven brands). 2‐Ethoxyethyl.p.methoxycinnamate (nine brands). 3 (4′Methylbenzylidene)D,D,L‐camphor (seven brands). 3‐Benzylidene.D,L‐camphor (six brands). 2‐Hydroxy.4‐methoxy.benzophenone (six brands). Usage levels varied from 0.4% up to 6.8%. Twenty‐two products used a combination of two, and four products a combination of three sun‐screens. Les filtres u.v. dans les produits anti‐solaires 1978 Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved