Solar Filters: A Strategy of Photoprotection

Abstract

Solar filters, as photostable compounds, are used to protect the human skin against harmful UV radiation. Up until recently, sun protection was limited to the use of sunscreens whose active ingredients are UV filters, which reflect or absorb UV rays depending on their chemical nature. Today there is a trend toward higher sun protection factors and the use of additional ingredients in sunscreens aimed at further protecting against the indirect damage primarily caused by the deeply penetrating UVA rays. In fact, these wavelengths have been shown to generate reactive oxygen species, which become mediators of cellular oxidative damage, leading to oxidative stress and immune suppression in skin.