Observational studyPhotodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine2026
In Vivo Measurement of UVA Protection Factor (ISO 24442:2011) Across 38 Different SPF 50 and SPF 50+ Sunscreens Reveals High Heterogeneity and Limitations in the Level of Protection.
Observational study in Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06068010 (UVA Protection Factors of SPF 50 and 50+ Face Sunscreens), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
UVA Protection Factors of SPF 50 and 50+ Face Sunscreens
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
Abstract
background/purposeThe UVB and UVA components of terrestrial solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) cause acute and chronic damage to skin. These adverse effects can be reduced by sunscreen application. The sun protection factor (SPF) is primarily a measure of UVB protection against erythema and does not quantify protection from UVA, which is the major component of solar UVR. The study aim was to assess UVA protection in relation to labelled SPF and to determine if this met the EU recommendation for a SPF/UVA-PF ratio of ≤ 3, as recommended by the EU. Unlike SPF assessment, there is no universal consensus for the determination and labelling of UVA-PF.
methodsThirty-eight sunscreens with SPF ≥ 50 were selected from Europe, Latin America, Oceania, and Asia. UVA-PF was determined with the ISO 24442:2011 in vivo method, which assesses the ability of a sunscreen to inhibit persistent pigment darkening induced by UVA radiation in a laboratory environment.
resultsThere was variation of UVA-PF ranging from 3.6 to 46.6. Sixty-eight percent (26/38) of sunscreens complied with EU recommendations. Thus, about one third failed these standards, with SPF/UVA-PF ratios varying from 3.1 (borderline failure) to 16.7 (major failure). Failure to comply was observed in several products sold in Europe.
conclusionThe study demonstrates the limitations of many commercial sunscreens to reach EU standards, with significant variations in UVA protection and a lack of relationship between SPF and UVA-PF values. This highlights the importance of improving labelling standards to ensure consumers receive consistent and adequate UVA protection, especially for those with UVA-dependent photodermatoses.
trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06068010.
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