Solar Flair

Are you reading this on the beach? I seriously doubt it, although a few of our advisors tell me they in fact do. Perhaps you are, in a broader sense—either settling in at the Florida SCC Sunscreen Symposium or walking the floor at the California SCC Suppliers’ Day. Even, if like me, you’re just daydreaming of the beach, this collection of articles will enlighten you with its focus on sun protection, SPF testing, damage repair and more.

Dennis Lott beat us all to the beach in his article, where he tests sunscreens on beachgoers to see if an SPF 100 is really more effective than SPFs of 50 or less. His work also questions the validity of solar simulation in the lab. In relation, Miksa et al. consider the effects of three test substrates on SPF measurements to improve the correlation between in vitro and in vivo values. An overview is given of one generally accepted SPF test protocol by Chris McLeod, and from both sides of the spectrum, Loing et al. address the recent trend to protect skin against UV and infrared photo-aging via a Polygonum aviculare extract.

Post-sun damage, skin whitening is considered by Jill Hsu, who investigates the efficacy of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid for such; and Ong and Maibach review recent skin lightening research. As a reminder of the latest sun care ingredient launches, the Sun Care Directory begins. Lastly, proof of any protective, corrective, reparative, etc. efficacy relies on claims substantiation, for which an advanced imaging technique is described by Cheminet et al.

Moving back to the Florida and California events, I’d like to introduce you to another—our newest effort to bring high-level science to real application: the Cosmetics & Toiletries Summit, to be held June 26-27, 2014, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. With support from the national SCC, award-winning speakers will take the podium from an array of fields to refresh the existing innovation in our industry. Interactive experiences also are being built to ensure you are engaged and inspired. It’s no day at the beach, but better: at a private Ivy League research university. Mark your calendar!

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