The development of a sunscreen

Australians generally admire an evenly tanned skin, and the ability to acquire such a tan without much or any discomfort due to burning, is widely prized and envied. Various topical sunscreens have been introduced in order to facilitate the attainment of such a state, and this paper describes the stages in the development of such a product. The final product must obviously contain an active ingredient with the necessary selective filtering properties. This ingredient, and the vehicle in which it is presented, must be free of sensitising properties and must not cause acute or chronic toxic effects. Finally, it must be shown, under various typical conditions of use, to possess overall efficacy in terms of protecting from burning while permitting tanning.