Identification of UV Filters in SPF 30 Sunscreens by Raman Spectroscopy

Exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation can cause premature aging, sagging skin, hyperchromias and several mutations in the DNA of cells. When UV radiation reaches the skin, it also produces free radicals and the cumulative effect of exposure to sunlight can even lead to skin cancer. Due to these harmful factors, the use of sunscreen is recommended as a preventive measure. Nowadays, Sun Protection Factor (SPF), determined in vivo, is a universal indicator of the efficacy of sunscreen products against sunburn. Faced with the numerous options of brands, it is essential to know if the compositions described on the packaging labels are really present in the product. Thus, this study aims to identify the UV filters present in seven SPF 30 sunscreens by Raman spectroscopy. Some UV filters informed in the composition of some samples, could not be identified, since the characteristic Raman peaks were not found in the literature, such as: bemotrizinol, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, octyltriazone and homosalate. Raman spectroscopy can be an effective technique to identify UV filters in sunscreens, in addition to being used in quality control. The lack of identification of some UV filters occurred due to the absence of Raman spectra in the literature. This fact suggests the need to continue the study to obtain the Raman spectra of these and other UV filters, in order to contribute to the Raman spectra database.