Aug 19 2014
Tinosorb®A2B* is the first UV filter to be included in the positive list (Annex VI) of the new EU Cosmetics Regulation. Therewith, BASF’s highly efficient broadband filter is also the first UV filter with particle sizes smaller than 100 nanometers approved for use in cosmetics in Europe.
“Tinosorb A2B equally protects against UVB and UVAII radiation, thereby making an important contribution to preventing skin cancer and light-induced skin aging. After a long approval process we are delighted that we are now allowed to bring the UV filter to market and that our customers can use it in sunscreen products,” said Dirk Mampe, head of Business Management for Personal Care Specialties Europe.
A new generation of micronized UV filters
Tinosorb A2B protects the skin against UV wavelengths ranging from 290 to 340 nanometers, thereby being the first of a new generation of finely-ground (micronized) UV filters: It complements conventional oil-soluble UV filters by closing the current gap between UVA and UVB absorbers, thus enabling a balanced protection across the entire spectrum of solar UV radiation.
The most efficient filter to protect from UV radiation
Thanks to Tinosorb A2B, the SPF performance of cosmetics such as sunscreens can be increased. As a result, a lower UV filter concentration is necessary than with conventional ingredients. “The absorption spectrum of a micronized UV filter depends on its particle size. With particle sizes of about 100 nanometers, optimum SPF performance can be achieved due to better skin coverage,” said Uli Osterwalder, Marketing Manager and Scientific Adviser for the Sun Care segment. “We took advantage of this principle in the development of Tinosorb A2B.”
Careful evaluation process for UV filters in the EU
All new UV filters intended for the use in cosmetics on the European market are subject to a thorough evaluation process. For that purpose, a comprehensive dossier with complex toxicity studies needs to be submitted to the EU Commission and has to be assessed by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). The evaluation and approval process of the EU is completed as soon as the respective UV filter has been added to the so-called positive list – a term used for Annex VI of the Cosmetics Regulation.
Further UV filters by BASF currently in approval process
The new EU Cosmetics Regulation further stipulatesthat the EU Commission must be notified of all ingredients containing nanoscale material. This also applies to ingredients that have already been approved. BASF has submitted registration dossiers for all UV filters with nanoscale parts that are already available on the European market: The UV filters Z-Cote®, Z-Cote® HP1 and Tinosorb® M are in the approval process.
Source: http://www.basf.com/