Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Minimal Erythema Dose MED Testing
Published on: May 28, 2013
Factors that influence sunscreen application thickness and potential preservative exposure
Rachel Novick1, Grace Anderson1, Eric Miller1
1ChemRisk, LLC, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Sunscreen application varies by type, with sprays providing more coverage than lotions or sticks. Typical use of these sunscreens is unlikely to cause methylisothiazolinone (MI) sensitization.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Cosmetic Science
- Photoprotection
Background:
- Studies indicate insufficient application of lotion sunscreen for labeled SPF.
- Limited data exists on the application of spray and stick sunscreens.
- Concerns regarding methylisothiazolinone (MI) sensitization in sunscreens.
Purpose of the Study:
- Quantify sunscreen application amounts across different product types (lotion, spray, stick).
- Investigate demographic influences on sunscreen application thickness.
- Assess sensitization potential of methylisothiazolinone (MI) in lotion sunscreens.
Main Methods:
- Participant application of lotion, spray, and stick sunscreens.
- Questionnaire data collection on application habits.
- Analysis of MI content in tested lotion sunscreens and calculation of margin of safety.
Main Results:
- Mean application thicknesses: lotion (1.1 mg/cm²), spray (1.6 mg/cm²), stick (0.35 mg/cm²).
- Age and skin type influenced sunscreen application thickness.
- MI concentrations were generally low, with likely exposures below sensitization thresholds (Margin of Safety > 8.1).
Conclusions:
- Sunscreen application amounts differ significantly by method, impacting sun protection levels.
- Typical usage patterns of tested sunscreens are unlikely to induce MI sensitization.
Related Concept Videos
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Pharmaceutical Parameters
Factors Influencing Drug Absorption: Physicochemical Parameters
Enhanced drug absorption can be achieved by reducing particle sizes and increasing surface areas, thereby facilitating...
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Drug Permeability, Stability and Stereochemistry
Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Miscellaneous Factors
Age plays a significant role due to differences in body composition among different age groups. Infants, for instance, have a higher proportion of total body water and lower albumin levels, a protein that binds drugs in the bloodstream. This unique composition in infants enhances the...
Biopharmaceutical Factors Influencing Drug Product Design: Overview

