Spectroelectrochemistry as a new tool for the quantification of UV filters in sun creams

This study focuses on the spectroelectrochemical quantification of four UV filters, butylmethoxy dibenzoylmethane (BM), benzophenone-3 (BP3), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EM) and octocrylene (OC) used as sunscreens in cosmetics. Three of them exhibited electrochemical activity resulting in the modification of their absorption spectrum under the application of an oxidizing potential of +1.8 V vs. Ag. When working with a mixture containing both electroactive and nonelectroactive UV filters, UV-vis absorption spectra recorded before and after the application of the potential differed. The combination of spectral deconvolution of the spectra pair allowed a more accurate identification and quantification of UV filters than spectral deconvolution of the initial absorbance spectrum alone. This method was effective for the assessment of UV filters in model mixtures and commercial sun creams.

Automated summary

This study quantified four UV filters used in cosmetics by spectroelectochemistry. Electrochemical activity of the filters resulted in modification of their absorption spectrum. Combining spectral deconvolution of spectra pairs was more accurate in identifying and quantifying UV filters than deconvolution of initial absorbance spectrum alone.