# A Survey of UV Filters Used in Sunscreen Cosmetics
###### Abstract  
The aim of this study was to determine the types of UV filters used in adult and children's sunscreen products sold in Poland (part of the EU market) and their frequency of use. The INCI compositions of sunscreen products were collected and analyzed for the presence of UV filters. The study included 150 randomly selected preparations for adults (from 71 brands) and 50 for children (from 33 brands). The survey concerned the UV filters listed in Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products. The most frequently used UV filters in the child sunscreens were trazine derivatives: bis-ethylhexylolphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (60.0%) and ethylhexyl triazone (52.0%), and ethylhexyl salicylate (46.0%), a derivative of salicylic acid. The most common in adult sunscreens were butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (56.0%), a dibenzoylmethane derivative, followed by the salicylic acid derivative ethylhexyl salicate (54.7%) and the triazine derivatives bis-ethylhexylolphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (54.7%) and ethylhexyl triazone (50.0%). Physical filters, including their nano and non-nano forms, were more popular in sunscreens for children, i.e., 50.0% (TiO\({}_{2}\)) and 22.0% (ZnO), than for adults: 21.3% (TiO\({}_{2}\)) and 6.7% (ZnO). For both adults and children, many cosmetic products contained four or five UV filters per preparation; however, the child preparations often used two UV filters. To summarize, the following UV filters dominate in photoprotectors for both adults and children: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, bis-ethylhexylolphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, ethylhexylal salicate, and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate. cosmetic regulations; frequency of use; market trends; sunscreen products; UV filters +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
derivatives, benzimidazole and benzotriazole derivatives, triazine derivatives, and various others, such as Polysilicone-15 [11]. The presence of chromophores with a conjugated system of \(\pi\)- bonds in their molecules is typical for organic filters, most often an aromatic ring bonded to a carbonyl group or connected by a carbon-carbon double bond [11]. The list of UV filters approved for use in cosmetics in the EU (32 entries) is stated in Annex VI to the Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), which also includes their maximum allowed concentrations [12]. Recently, much attention has been paid to the safety of UV filters for humans and the environment. Some UV filters, e.g., avobenzene or ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA, under UV radiation, generate photodegradation products and reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing phototoxicity and/or photoallergic processes in the skin [13; 14; 15]. Although some research suggests that homosalate may act as an endocrine disruptor, the SCCS states homosalate is safe for consumers when used in the final product at concentrations up to 7.34% [16]. The SCCS has raised concerns about the endocrine-disrupting properties of 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC), including both the thyroid and estrogen systems [17]. The SCCS needs further research to finally determine the safety of benzophenone-3 for the endocrine system, and recommends its use as a UV filter at concentration up to 6% in face cream, hand cream, and lipsticks [18]. In addition, the use of some UV filters, e.g., benzophenone-3 (oxybenzene) or octocrylene, may be associated with adverse effects, including allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis [18; 19; 20; 21; 22]. Photoconct allergy to octocrylene may occur in patients with previous photoallergy to topically applied ketoprofen, but in general, contact allergy attributed to octocrylene appears very rarely [20]. The FDA have highlighted the need for additional safety data on several filters, including octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, oxybenzene, octinoxate, and avobenzene [23].