Determination of UV-filters in sunscreens by HPLC

Simultaneous determination of six internationally authorised organic UV-filters in sunscreen formulations was performed by HPLC with UV spectrophotometric detection. The filters determined were: sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, octyl dimethyl PABA, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyl salicylate and homosalate. A C18 stationary phase and a mobile phase of ethanol water acetic acid (70:29.5:0.5) were used with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. UV measurements were carried out at 313 nm. The time required for the analysis was 25 min and the limits of detection were between 0.2 and 2 mg/L, except for sulisobenzone, which gave a limit of detection of 20 mg/L. The procedure proposed provides an accurate, fast and green analytical method, that does not involve toxic organic solvents.