Objective assessment of color match for a universal tinted sunscreen on individuals with skin of color: A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Sunscreen is a well-established skin photoprotection method that utilizes organic and inorganic ultraviolet filters to absorb, scatter, and reflect light. Conventional broad-spectrum Sunscreen formulations typically protect from ultraviolet (UV) radiation (290–400 nm) but do not protect against visible light and long-wavelength ultraviolet A1 radiation (VL + UVA1, 370–700 nm),
which can cause erythema and pigmentation in individuals with darker skin phototypes (SPT). Of all the UV filters approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in commercial sunscreens, only non-micronized forms of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are protective against VL + UVA1. However, these filters create a cosmetically undesirable white cast on darker SPTs. Thus, for conventional non-tinted sunscreens to achieve a more sheer appearance on the skin, these two inorganic filters are micronized to nanoparticles, which decreases their photoprotective efficacy against VL + UVA1