A Comparison of in Vivo and in Vitro Testing of Sunscreening Formulas

Abstract— Seven commercially available sunscreens were compared by three different methods. Absorbance spectra were measured for each product in isopropanol solution and also on hairless mouse epidermis. In vivo tests were performed on human volunteers using a Xe arc solar simulator. Sun Protection Factors (SPF) were calculated by each method for each product tested and the results compared. By all methods used, the combination of 7% octyl dimethyl para‐aminobenzoic acid and 3% oxybenzone provided the most protection from U.V. light. While estimates of the effectiveness of all products were much too high when calculated by the isopropanol solution method, the hairless mouse epidermis technique seems to be an accurate tool for predicting product efficacy in vivo .