Inorganic Ultraviolet Filters in Sunscreen Products: Status, Trends, and Challenges

This book offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in inorganic ultraviolet (UV) filters utilized for photoprotection applications. It evaluates the performance of the two approved inorganic UV filters for sunscreen use, titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO), examining their physicochemical properties in relation to various factors such as efficacy in UVR attenuation, formulation considerations including product aesthetics and stability, safety aspects, potential risks to human health, and their environmental fate and effects. The regulations governing the use of TiO2 and ZnO in sunscreens are also addressed.

Furthermore, the book assesses different modification strategies employed to mitigate the undesirable properties of ZnO and TiO2. It also presents various inorganic materials studied as alternatives to ZnO and TiO2, evaluating their potential for use as UV filters.

This book is tailored for chemists, material scientists, researchers, engineers (both chemical and biomedical), as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in this dynamic research field. Additionally, it serves as a valuable resource for industrial researchers and R&D managers aiming to develop and market advanced inorganic UV filter-based sunscreen products.

Dr. Nazia Hassan Kera is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Johannesburg under Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray, currently based at the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). She obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2018 from the University of Johannesburg while working at the CSIR. Her current research interest is in cosmetics and focuses on nanostructured inorganic UV filters for application in topical sunscreen formulations for photoprotection.

Dr. Sreejarani Kesavan Pillai is a material scientist at the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa. She received her Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Cochin University of Science and Technology, India, in 2003. She joined CSIR in 2007 as a senior researcher. She currently holds the position of Principal Research. Pillai’s current research focuses on advanced functional materials for topical applications. She has extensive research experience with nanomaterials such as cellulose nanofibres, nanoclay minerals, nanometal oxides, carbon nanomaterials, nanoparticles, nano/microemulsions, and various topical delivery systems. Her research initiatives have resulted in various industry collaborations, numerous publications in international peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and product-based technology demonstrators.

Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray is a chief research scientist and manager of the Centre for Nanostructures and Advanced Materials, DSI-CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa. He received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Calcutta, India, in 2001 and was a recipient of the “Sir P. C Ray Research Award” for the best Ph.D. work. Prof. Ray's current research focuses on the applications of advanced nanostructured and polymeric materials. He is one of the most active and highly cited authors in the field of polymer nanocomposite materials, and Thomson Reuters have recently rated him as being one of the Top 1% of most impactful and influential scientists and top 50 high-impact chemists.

Prof. Ray is the author of 9 books, co-author of 9 edited books, 76 book chapters on various aspects of nanostructured materials and their applications, and author and co-author of 465 articles in high-impact international journals and 30 articles in national and international conference proceedings. He also has 7 patents (registered and filled) and 25 new demonstrated technologies shared with colleagues, collaborators, and industrial partners. So far, his team has commercialized 19 different products. His honours and awards include South Africa’s most Prestigious 2016 National Science and Technology Award (NSTF), Prestigious 2014 CSIR-wide Leadership Award, Prestigious 2014 CSIR Human Capital Development award, Prestigious 2013 Morand Lambla Awardee (top award in the field of polymer processing worldwide), International Polymer Processing Society, USA. He was appointed as an Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria and a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg.