THE ROLE OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF SKIN PROTECTION AGAINST ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Aim: Ultraviolet radiation is the main threat to the skin. Excessive exposure to the ultraviolet radiation can lead to various conditions, but most of all, it causes accelerated photoaging of the skin. The most common method of protection against ultraviolet radiation is use of cosmetic products with the sunscreen. Assess suitability of natural resources for protection from the ultraviolet radiation. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at Passage Cosmetics Laboratory S.A. in Gałkówek Duży. The test method was the measure the absorption of different natural resources, including cocoa butter, shea butter, coconut oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil and macadamia oil. Measurements were made using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer, in accordance with ISO 24443: 2012 method. Results: The following results were obtained for the tested raw materials: SPF 12 for cocoa butter and for shea butter, SPF 7 for coconut oil, SPF 6 for olive oil and sunflower oil, and SPF 5 for sweet almond oil and for macadamia oil. Conclusions: All tested oils and vegetable butters have a low SPF factor and constitute to a sunscreen with a low degree of protection. The in vitro measurements of shea butter, as well as cocoa butter showed a higher level of absorption. Natural raw materials have sunscreen properties, but the level of protection is not to be a safe sunscreen.