LC Technical Note

Analysis of UV Absorbers in Cosmetic Products

LT163
GL Sciences Inc.

In this note it is shown the analysis of UV absorbers in cosmetic products.
UV absorbers contained in cosmetic products are compounds which prevent the skin from being
penetrated and burned by UV rays by absorbing the energy of UV rays and converting it into thermalenergy.
The compounds analyzed below protect the human body from UV rays absorption. They are used in several
products commonly available in the market with sunscreen formulation such as cosmetics, hair careproducts and perfumes.
In this note 8 compounds of UV absorbers were analyzed by gradient elution. The results show excellent
separation of the compounds.
(M. Kobayashi)

Analysis of Standard Solution
PeakNo.

780

1123456783605mAU

42,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone (THB)
Ethyl 4-aminobenzoate(EAB)
2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB)
2,2'-Dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone (DHDMB)
2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (HMB)
4-tert -Butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMB)
2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate(EMC)2-Ethylhexyl salicylate (ES)406Sample(50 mg/L each)

8020

2010Time [min]HPLC Conditions
GL7700 HPLC system
System:InertSustain C18Column:

Time [min]
0.0
14.0
17.0
17.1
25.0

A [vol%]501001005050Column Temp. :40 ℃
Detector:PDA 320 nm
Injection Vol. :10 μL
Flow rate:1.0 mL/min

B [vol%]50005050

R2AreaEluent:(3 μm, 100 x 4.6 mmI.D.)
A)CH3CNB)H2O20EMC
DHB
THB
HMB
BMB
DHDMB
ES
EAB

0.99980.99980.99980.99980.99940.99990.99991.0000Concentration [mg/L]

Calibration curve (5-100 mg/L) andCorrelation coefficient (R2)

GL Sciences LC Technical Note

Chemical structure of the 8 compounds of UV absorbers

OH

O

O

OH

O

HO

H2N

OH

1. 2,2',4,4'-Tetrahydroxybenzophenone (THB)O

2. Ethyl 4-aminobenzoate (EAB)

OH

OH

OH

OCH3

4. 2,2'-Dihydroxy-4,4'dimethoxybenzophenone (DHDMB)

O

OH

OCH3

5. 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (HMB)

O

OH

CH3O

3. 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB)

O

O

O

CH3O

6. 4-tert-Butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane(BMB)

OOCH3O

7. 2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EMC)

OOH

8. 2-Ethylhexyl salicylate (ES)

Structures are created using Chemistry 4-D Draw which is provided by ChemInnovation Software, Inc.

GL Sciences LC Technical Note

Example of Pretreatment Method← Dilute to volume with CH3CN to 20 mL
Sample0.4 g

Extraction← Extract by sonicaDon for 5 min← Leave for 15 min← THF 4 mL
← CH3CN 6 mL
Extraction

Filtration← ﬁltrate the supernatant liquid by GL Chromato
Disk 25N 0.45 μm← Extract by sonicaDonfor 10 min
Dilute to volumeDilution← 10-fold dilution with CH3CNHPLC① Sample extracted from a common sunscreen product available in the market
72000

6.4-tert-Butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane(BMB)
7.2-Ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate (EMC)mAU※The peaks no. correspond to those of thestandard solution described in the previous page.

001020Time [min]② Sample extracted from a common foundation makeup product available in themarket
7mAU

400

200

001020Time [min]③ Sample extracted from a common lip balm product available in the market
140

7120mAU

100806040620001020Time [min]GL Sciences LC Technical Note

HPLC Column

InertSustain C18(3 μm, 100 x 4.6 mm I.D.)
Cat.No. 5020-07444

GL Chromato Disk
GL CHROMATO DISK 25N 0.45ΜM (100 pcs)
Cat.No. 5040-28532

GL Sciences disclaims any and all responsibility for any injury or damage which may be caused by this data directly or indirectly.
We reserve the right to amend this information or data at any time and without any prior announcement.

GL Sciences Inc. JapanGL Sciences Inc. USA

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