Abstract

A COMPARATIVE DISCUSSION ON CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL SUNSCREEN AGENTS

Sayanwita Panja*

ABSTRACT

Sunlight, a part of electromagnetic radiation, is the source of life and energy. The entity of nearly all lives on earth has commenced by the light from sun. Ultraviolet radiation of sunlight possesses both positive and negative influences on health. Despite of synthesis of vitamin D and mutagen, UV radiation is accountable for generating some major health objections like sunburn, wrinkle, pigmentation, aging, dermatitis, urticaria, skin cancer, immunosuppression and other skin disorders. Sunglasses and sunray protective clothes provide inadequate and less advantageous obtainment to get rid of from these health setbacks. Sunscreen is the best precaution against the absorbing, scattering and reflecting activities of UV radiations for reducing skin disorders. Several commercial synthetic sunscreen items, available in market, have been formulated by using different organic and inorganic UV filters or absorbers. Subtypes of organic filters as PABA derivatives, benzophenone, octyl methoxycinnamate, oxybenzone etc. have some negative side effects on human health as well as environment. Natural sources i.e. herbs and herbal formulations are highly potent to exceed these mischievous effects for their antioxidant efficacy. Antioxidants like vitamin E, vitamin C, flavonoids etc. exhibit the principal role against the free radical species which are mainly responsible for skin distemper. Natural sunscreen products are as efficacious as synthetic products procurable in market. Keeping into consideration to conscious people in regard to these problems connected to commercial synthetic sunscreen products, here I have discussed about the chemical components of those and their probable health impacts on human and aquatic environment and their natural alternatives along with minimal or no side effects.

Keywords: Ultraviolet radiation, Synthetic sunscreen, Skin disorders, Natural sunscreen.