Effects of the novel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-encapsulated organic ultraviolet (UV) filters on the UV absorbance and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF)

Sunscreens are thought to protect skin from many of the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) light and the photostability of sunscreens is thus an important concern in their application. Therefore, to discover new UV filters or to modify well-known UV filters are presents an important way for development of sunscreens. In this study, we presented several novel poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) encapsulated organic UV filters, including encapsulated benzophenone-3 (TB-MS), avobenzone (TA-MS), octyl methoxycinnamate (TO-MS) and diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (TD-MS). Our results have demonstrated that PMMA-encapsulated UV filters have improved safety, photoprotective ability and photostability. We proposed therefore that these PMMA-encapsulated UV filters can be used as ingredients for sunscreen products in the future.