Purpose: Due to the high exposure of our skin to sunlight which mainly comprises of ultraviolet radiation, a harmful effect is manifested on the skin and the integumentary system. Sunscreens are formulated which safeguards the epidermis of the skin from harmful UV radiations by reflecting, absorbing or by dispersion phenomena. This review focuses on the beneficial aspects of sunscreen and also presents a detail exposition about its formulation aspects and evaluation.
Approach: The review introduces sunscreens and its traditional, chronological usage of sunscreen. The formulation and development of sunscreen emphasis on various UVA and UVB photo protectants used and its evaluation parameters is studied.
Findings: Sunscreens are found to show the photo-protecting properties by absorption or by reflecting mechanism, which has a shielding effect towards the skin against harmful radiations.
Conclusion: Sunscreens protects the skin absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet radiations. The application of sunscreens is an efficient method of protecting skin against UV radiations. Hence a sunscreen plays a vital role in protecting the skin from external harmful radiations.
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