Photostabilization Effect of Quercetin on the UV Filter Combination, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane–Octyl Methoxycinnamate

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the natural antioxidant quercetin on the photostability of the most widely used combination of UVA (320-400 nm) and UVB (290-320 nm) filters, respectively butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) and octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC). In order to reproduce the conditions prevalent in commercial sunscreen products, the stabilizing efficacy of quercetin was evaluated in model creams containing BMDBM (3%, wt/wt) together with OMC (4%, wt/wt) and exposed to a solar simulator at an irradiance corresponding to natural sunlight. Quercetin was found to enhance the photostability of the two UV filters in a concentration-dependent way. Addition of quercetin to the sunscreen formulation significantly reduced the photodegradation of BMDBM and OMC from 40.3 +/- 2.4 to 27.7 +/- 2.6% and from 51.3 +/- 2.1 to 42.2 +/- 2.0%, respectively. Moreover, comparative photodegradation studies demonstrated that quercetin was much more effective and at a lower concentration than commonly used stabilizer (octocrylene) and antioxidants (vitamin E, butylated hydroxyanisole). In vitro determination of the UVB and UVA protection parameters showed that the quercetin-based formulation fulfilled the official requirements on sunscreen products. Because of its photostabilizing and multiple antioxidant properties, quercetin represents a useful additive for the formulation of effective broad-spectrum sunscreens containing BMDBM and OMC.

Mesoporous silica as topical nanocarriers for quercetin: characterization and in vitro studies

“…Antioxidants like flavonoids are frequently used in sunscreen formulations to complement UV filter photoprotection by preventing or reducing the damage from the free radicals generated by solar radiation [56]. Anyway the photochemical instability of Q represents a limitation for its potential applicability in suncare products.…”

Photostabilization of sunscreens by incorporation of tea as the external phase

“…The appearance was similar to the ones before storage (Figure 1a-c). During storage stability no changes were observed in terms of pH, viscosity and organoleptic properties from t 0, t 6, t 7, t 12 and t 14 (data not shown). As estimated through the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), sunscreens containing black or green tea developed an efficacy that was different from the one with water as external phase (Figure 2).…”

“…Os parâmetros FPS e comprimento de onda crítico pós-irradiação foram analisados e comparados com os valores obtidos pré-irradiação. Novamente, cada amostra foi analisada em triplicado e, no mínimo, cinco registros de transmitância foram obtidos [12] respectively butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM. Foi necessária a utilização de placas sem formulação como placebo.…”

“…The SPF parameters and critical wavelength post-irradiation were analysed and compared with pre-irradiation values. Each sample was analysed in triplicate, and at least in five measurements of transmittance were collected [12] . Plates without formulation were used as the control.…”

Current application of phytocompound-based nanocosmeceuticals for beauty and skin therapy

“…This size can be reduced with the addition of silica, decreasing the average size to 483 nm causing enhanced skin penetration of quercetin with higher photostability and skin protection. 128,133 In another study, caffeine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles were constructed, with a particle size of 182 nm and enhanced skin permeation of the bioactive compound with higher skin protection. 134 Similarly, resveratrol-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles with a particle size of 180 nm showed higher skin permeation with enhanced protection.…”