The anti-irritancy of sunscreen after-gels was the recent focus of research conducted at the photobiology lab at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences Univ., South Africa.
As explained here by researchers Lebogang Kgatuke and Marlize Lategan, during the IFSCC Congress in Germany, a systematic test was developed in order to assess the efficacy of an after-sun gel to reduce skin irritation.
They noted the physiological mechanisms of erythema induction due to chemicals and UV differ. As such, the results of the described pilot study were difficult to interpret, in terms of the efficacy of the after-sun gel. They did observe a faster recovery in skin irritated by natural light versus chemicals.
While the work did not prove the efficacy of the after-sun gel, it did establish the first-known standardized approach to test the efficacy of an after-sun product in vivo.
Watch the video to learn more:
