Flavonoids Bolster Sunscreen’s Efficacy

SAO PAULO, Brazil—Adding botanical flavonoids to topical sunscreen formulations can bolster protection against ultraviolet (UV) damage, according to a new study (Int J Pharmaceutics. 2008;363(1-2):50-57) (DOI:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2008.06.031). CosmeticsDesign reported researchers from the University of Sao Paulo examined the effect of adding polyphenols from Passiflora incarnate L. and Plantago lanceolata plus rutin to inorganic and organic filters. Adding the polyphenols to the other filters improved the SPF and the UVA/UVB protection ratio; using them alone upped UVA protection but adversely impacted overall SPF.