Abstract

CASTANEDO-CAZARES, Juan Pablo; TORRES-ALVAREZ, Bertha; BRIONES-ESTEVIS, Selene  and  MONCADA, Benjamín. Inconsistency in sun protection factor (SPF) index in Mexico: The case of sunscreens for oily skin. Gac. Méd. Méx [online]. 2005, vol.141, n.2, pp.111-114. ISSN 2696-1288.

Background: In Mexico, information regarding sunscreen protection is not widely accessible from sources other than manufacturers. Objective: To assess the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 12, over the counter sunscreens for oily or acne prone skin available in the Mexican market. Setting: Dermatology Department. Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Subjects and Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers of skin type III and IV were tested. Sunscreen SPFs were measured using solar simulated radiation according to FDA final monograph. Results: SPFs ranged between 7.8 and 26.9. Overall SPFs determined by solar simulator showed values between 22% to 74% less than the one advertised in their labels. Conclusions: We warn about the potential risk of SPF overestimation as many of the sunscreens tested did not comply with their offered protection. A proper regulation is needed because sunscreens are considered cosmetic products and do not require clinical tests to verify their efficacy before marketing.

Keywords : Sunscreens; oily skin; acne.

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