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Sunscreen-Suntan Products Testing
AAL, Inc. performs complete chemical testing on raw materials and the finished products of sunscreen samples. Sunscreens are chemical actives that act as ultraviolet (UV) A and UV B skin protecting chemical. In the United States, sunscreen products are considered as over-the-counter drugs and must be tested for purity and assay.
The raw material analysis of sunscreen ingredients includes active and excipient chemicals. AAL analyzes these ingredients according to USP monographs. Identification is done by:
- FTIR Fingerprint
- Ultraviolet
- Visible spectrometry scans
- Limit Test
- Lead
- Mercury
- Arsenics
The purity and assay tests can also be completed by gas chromatography (GC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
The finished products of over-the-counter sunscreen (i.e. SPF-4 to SPF-30+) active content analysis are performed by HPLC. We have validated testing procedures for sunscreen analysis of active chemicals for up to seven actives.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide utilize modified FDA United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) methods.
All sunscreen testing SPF products are performed in compliance to GMP requirements and results are often released within five to seven working days.
Permitted Sunscreen Active Ingredients (maximum concentrations) |
||
FDA Max Spec. |
Method |
|
Aminobenzoic Acid |
15% |
HPLC |
Avobenzone |
3% |
HPLC / GC |
Cinoxate |
3% |
HPLC / GC |
Dioxybenzone |
3% |
HPLC |
Homosalate |
15% |
HPLC / GC |
Menthyl Anthranilate |
5% |
HPLC / GC |
Octocrylene |
10% |
HPLC |
Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamtate) |
7.5% |
HPLC / GC |
Octisalate (Octyl Salicylate) |
5% |
HPLC |
Oxybenzone |
6% |
HPLC |
Padimate O |
8% |
HPLC |
Phenyl benzimidazole sulfonic acid |
4% |
HPLC |
Sulisobenzone |
10% |
HPLC |
Titanium Dioxide |
25% |
USP Titration |
Trolamine Salicylate |
12% |
HPLC |
Zinc Oxide |
25% |
USP Titration |