One-to-one comparison of sunscreen efficacy, aesthetics and potential nanotoxicity

Numerous reports have described the superior properties of nanoparticles and their diverse range of applications. Issues of toxicity(1,2), workplace safety(3,4) and environmental impact(5-9) have also been a concern. Here we show a theoretical comparison of how the size of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and their concentration in sunscreens can affect efficacy, aesthetics and potential toxicity from free radical production. The simulation results reveal that, unless very small nanoparticles can be shown to be safe, there is no combination of particle size and concentration that will deliver optimal performance in terms of sun protection and aesthetics. Such a theoretical method complements well the experimental approach for identifying these characteristics.