CHECKING BLOCKER EFFECTS COMMERCIAL SOLARS USING TESTS BASED ON THE SURVIVAL OF LIFTING CELLS TO UV IRRADIATION

Abstract

An assay based on the survival rates of UV-irradiated yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was used to compare the photoprotectant capabilities of several commercial sunscreens with different sun protection factors (SPFs). Ten lotions with SPF values from 15 to 100 were tested using UVB and UVC irradiations. The results showed that all lotions with SPFs ≥50 exhibited similar photoprotectant capabilities. However, the lotions with SPF 15 and SPF 30 exhibited proportionally lower photoprotection levels. Likewise, the prices per gram of the analyzed lotions were compared, finding them widespread. Since the photoprotection levels of the lotions with SPF values above 50 were equivalent, it could be inferred that other factors are responsible for the variations in the prices, such as the recognition of the brand name, product presentation, marketing strategies, and others. This work shows the need to change Peruvian regulations that foresee the selling of sunscreens, to use the notation “SPF 50+” for all products with SPF >50.