Sunscreens with the New MCE Filter Cover the Whole UV Spectrum: Improved UVA1 Photoprotection In Vitro and in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

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Improvement of photoprotection with sunscreen formulas containing the cyclic merocyanine UVA1 absorber MCE: In vivo demonstration under simulated and real sun exposure conditions in three randomised controlled trials

“…By calculating the ΔΔE, between reference + MCE and reference the difference of pigmentation between both sunscreen formulations starts at 24 h after the first exposure (1. 38 The visual assessment confirmed colorimetric data and showed a lower pigmentation level for reference + MCE versus reference (Figure 4). This difference was about one point at each time point with p < 0.001 starting 24 h after the first exposure.…”

“…As a result, MCE broadens the level of absorption provided in the UVA1 range. It has been shown that the addition of this filter in a reference sunscreen formulation (at the same SPF value and a similar profile of absorption up to ∼360–370 nm) can prevent biological alterations 38 . In vitro, using a three‐dimensional skin model, epidermal and dermal alterations induced by UVA1 exposure as well as in vivo induced pigmentation were significantly reduced using formulations containing MCE at 0.7% or 1.5% compared to a sunscreen formulation lacking absorption in the 370–400 nm wavelength range.…”

“…MCE dossier has now been approved by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety at the European Commission, based on the safety and environmental profile (https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_227.pdf) and has been recently listed in the Annex VI of EU authorised UV filters. Using MCE in sunscreen reference formulas, it is possible to enlarge the profile of absorption up to 400 nm and to reduce in vitro biological alterations and in vivo induced pigmentation under UVA1 exposure 38 . Additional proofs of performance were sought to demonstrate the higher protection afforded by such formulas containing MCE.…”

“…Using MCE in sunscreen reference formulas, it is possible to enlarge the profile of absorption up to 400 nm and to reduce in vitro biological alterations and in vivo induced pigmentation under UVA1 exposure. 38 Additional proofs of performance were sought to demonstrate the higher protection afforded by such formulas containing MCE. UVA1-induced pigmentation is a good indicator of the impact of these wavelengths 6 although this hyperpigmentation does not bring a photoprotective effect, especially with regard to DNA photoproducts.…”

The Damaging Effects of Long UVA (UVA1) Rays: A Major Challenge to Preserve Skin Health and Integrity

“…It is today listed in Annex VI of the EU-authorized UV filters. In a very recent paper, it was shown that the addition of MCE in reference formulas enlarged the profile of absorption up to 400 nm, leading to the coverage of the full UV spectrum, and improved UVA1 photoprotection by reducing UVA1-induced dermal and epidermal alterations at the cellular, biochemical and molecular levels as well as decreasing UVA1-induced pigmentation [ 264 ]. These data under controlled UVA1 exposures have been confirmed under a full UV (UVB and UVA) spectrum up to real sun exposure, supporting the benefit of full UVB and UVA profiles of absorption in natural sunlight exposures [ 265 ].…”