Abstract

DETERMINATION OF SUN PROTECTION EFFECT OF HERBAL SUNSCREEN CREAM

Sneha Patil*, Bharti Fegade, Urvashi Zamindar and V. H. Bhaskar

ABSTRACT

Exposure to sunlight can trigger various biological responses ranging from sun-burn, erythema to skin cancer. Synthetic sunscreen formulations available in market pose variety of adverse effects.Therefore formulation of the herbal sunscreen formulation and evaluation of its sun protection activity is an important aspect in the cosmetic industry. The Pongamia pinnata leave extract is having reported good sun-protecting activity and Punica granatum peel extract is sun-protecting factor boosting agent. In the present study, sunscreen activity of 5% and 10% formulated cream containing the Pongamia pinnata leave extract and Punica granatum peel extract (3:2) was determined by absorption spectroscopy, transmission spectroscopy and by COLIPA standard method for sun protection factor determination. In absorption spectroscopy, the absorbance of dilute test solution of formulation from 290-320 nm was studied to determine SPF against UV-B while in the transmittance spectroscopy, UVA and UVB protection and average UVA protection factor were calculated by taking transmission of formulations from 290 nm-400 nm using PVC as substrate also samples were submitted to Kelkar Cosmetology lab, mulund for the determination of sun protection factor by COLIPA standard method using UV-200S Transmittance analyzer. In this method sun protection factor is determined by taking transmission of formulation from 290nm-450nm using transpore tape. The present study shows that there is increase in the sunscreen activity with increase in the percentage of actives in the formulation and having good potency to protect against UVA and B rays.

Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Punica granatum, Absorption spectroscopy, Transmission spectroscopy, COLIPA standard method, Sun-protecting factor.