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A novel proposal for labelling sunscreens based on compliance and performance
M Pissavini1, O Doucet, B Diffey
1Lancaster-Coty, International Research & Development Center, Athos Palace 2, rue de la Lujerneta, Monte Carlo, 98000, Monaco.
Objective:
To propose a new way of classifying sunscreens, which combines the labelled SPF with an objective measure of compliance.
Methods:
The in vitro determination of uniformity of sunscreen application was combined with an in vivo measure of applied thickness to derive a Compliance Factor for each of 10 sunscreens.
Results:
The predicted SPF resulting from real-life application of each sunscreen product, which is termed the SPF(in vivo veritas), was calculated from the Compliance Factor and the labelled SPF. It was shown that for a number of products, there is expected to be a significant mismatch between labelled and delivered SPF.
Conclusion:
We believe that by adopting our proposal, consumers would be given more appropriate guidance on the delivered photoprotection they can expect to receive than relying solely on the labelled SPF.
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