Determination of sun protection factors. Correlation between in vivo human studies and an in vitro skin cast method

Synopsis Sun protection factors were determined by both an in vitro method which used resin casts taken from replicas of human skin and by an in vivo SPF method. Thirty-eight product development samples were tested for the level of sun protection using both methods and the results were compared. The values obtained showed a positive relationship which was closely approximated by a log-linear regression of in vivo data on in vitro data (regression coefficient, r(2)= 0.86). It is concluded that the cast technique is quick, convenient, inexpensive and in its present form useful for screening sunscreen products prior to in vivo SPF testing.