How to Create Sunscreen Products

Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast who loves DIY projects or a budding formulator intrigued by the science behind skincare products, understanding how to create sunscreen is an exciting and valuable endeavor. Sunscreen is a crucial component of daily skincare, protecting against harmful UV rays that can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. This guide will provide an overview of why sunscreen is essential, the basics of its formulation, and how you can start making your own.

Why Sunscreen is Essential

Sunscreen is vital for maintaining healthy skin. It offers protection against two types of UV radiation:

1. UVA Rays: These rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing aging and long-term damage.
2. UVB Rays: These rays affect the outer layer of the skin, leading to sunburn and increasing the risk of skin cancer.

Regular use of sunscreen helps prevent these adverse effects, ensuring your skin stays healthy and youthful.

The Basics of Sunscreen Formulation

Creating sunscreen involves combining several key ingredients that work together to protect the skin. There are three major components you must consider when developing a sunscreen:

• UV Filters: These are the active ingredients that protect the skin from UV radiation. They can be classified into two main types:
  • Chemical Filters: Absorb UV rays and convert them into heat.
  • Physical Filters: Physically block and reflect UV radiation. Both types can be used alone or in combination to provide broad-spectrum protection.

• Delivery Mechanism: The form in which the sunscreen is applied is crucial for user convenience and effectiveness. Common delivery mechanisms include:
  • Lotions: Ideal for easy application over large areas of the body and often contain moisturizing ingredients.
  • Sticks: Convenient for targeted application, such as on the face or small areas, and are less messy.
  • Sprays: Easy to apply on hard-to-reach areas but require careful application to ensure even coverage.

• SPF (Sun Protection Factor): The SPF number indicates the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays. Calculating the correct SPF is crucial for ensuring the product meets its protective claims. SPF values typically range from 15 to 50+, with higher numbers indicating greater protection. Achieving the desired SPF involves careful formulation and testing to ensure that the product delivers the claimed protection.

These three components work together to create an exceptional sunscreen product. However, there are important dos and don’ts to consider during the formulation process:

What You Should Not Do When Creating Sunscreen

• Use the Wrong Ingredients: Ingredients that don’t offer broad-spectrum protection can leave your skin vulnerable to UV damage.
• Make Unstable Products: Instability can affect the efficacy of the sunscreen, causing it to degrade over time.
• Do Guesswork: Mixing and matching ingredients without precise knowledge can result in ineffective or unsafe products.
• Not Use Precise Formulas: Lack of precision in formulations can lead to inconsistent protection and product quality.
• Overlook Ingredient Interactions: Ignoring how ingredients interact can compromise the effectiveness and safety of the sunscreen.

What You Should Do Instead

• Use Carefully Selected Ingredient Ratios: Ensure the correct proportions to deliver targeted protection.
• Use Precise, Tested, and Proven Formulas: Rely on formulas that have been tested for efficacy and safety.
• Understand Ingredient Interactions: Research how different ingredients work together to ensure a stable and effective formula.
• Conduct Thorough Testing: Learn what tests are required, including stability and SPF testing, to confirm your product meets safety and efficacy standards.

Now that you know the do’s and dont’s, let’s walk you through the proper development process for sunscreen products.

Sunscreen Product Development Process

1. Target the SPF: Determine the desired SPF level and calculate accordingly to ensure the correct balance of UV filters.
2. Choose Delivery Mechanism: Decide on the form of the sunscreen (lotion, stick, spray) based on the intended use and user preference.
3. Choose the Ingredient Blend and Proportions: Select and measure the ingredients accurately.
4. Create a Balanced Formula: Develop a formula that ensures stability and effectiveness.
5. Produce Following Approved Manufacturing Methods: Adhere to proper manufacturing practices to ensure product quality.
6. Stability Testing: Conduct stability tests to ensure the product remains effective over time.
7. SPF Testing: Perform SPF testing to verify that the product provides the claimed level of protection.
8. Adjust and Refine: Make any necessary adjustments to the formula based on testing results.
9. Final Production: Once the formula is perfected and tested, proceed with final production and packaging.

Creating sunscreen products unguided may seem like a daunting task, which is why we have created a guide to do all the heavy lifting for you. Our Sunscreen Formulation E-Book is the guide to help you through the process, giving you independent support.