Chemical and Organic Filters
The most recently introduced chemical and organic agents
have been the Mexoryl and Tinosorb filters, ingredients
that have been present in our sunscreens for some
years (Table 2). Terephtalylidene dicamphor sulfonic
acid (Mexoryl SX) and drometrizole trisiloxane (Mexoryl
XL), both developed by L’Oreal, absorb UV-B and UV-A
radiation.2
Following daily application in humans, a
sunscreen containing Mexoryl SX absorbed UV radiation and
prevented skin damage caused by both types.13
Methylene
bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (Tinosorb M) and
bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (Tinosorb
S) both absorb and reflect photons. The latest trend in
organic sunscreens is the development of sol-gel glass
microcapsules containing photon absorbers encapsulated
within a silica shell of approximately 1 µm in diameter.14
This technology reduces the penetration of the UV filter
into the skin while improving photostability and reducing
allergenic potential.