343 Photoprotective Effects of Carotenoid
that the carotenoid is noncarcinogenic and nonmutagenic, and it therefore can be safely
used in a sunscreen formulation.
EVALUATION OF FORMULATED SUNSCREEN CREAM
The following were the variations of parameters that were considered acceptable37,38 for
approval of sunscreen formulations:
Appearance, color, and odor. This was unchanged when stored under direct or indirect
sunlight at room temperature. Slight changes were acceptable in formulations stored at
higher temperatures.
pH value. There were changes up to 0.2 pH units.
Apparent viscosity. There were percentage changes of ± 20%.
SPF value. There were percentage changes of ± 5%..
Critical wavelength value (λC). There were percentage changes of ± 2%..
UVA/UVB ratio value. There were percentage changes of ± 5%.
The formulated cream (Figure 5A and 5B) was evaluated for the organoleptic parameters on
day 0 and on the 30th day. The results of organoleptic and rheological properties are presented
in Table III. There was no substantial difference observed in the organoleptic characteristics of
the cream after 30 days of storage (at 27 ± 2°C), per the acceptability criteria.37,38
Figure 5. (A) Freshly prepared formulation, (B) formulation after 30 days.
Table III
Evaluation of Organoleptic and Rheological Parameters of Formulated Sunscreen
Parameters Bc BcCE
0 days 30 days 0 day 30 days
Appearance Shiny, cream-like Shiny, cream-like Shiny, cream-like Shiny, cream-like
Color White White Peach Peach
Odor Odorless Odorless Odorless Odorless
Homogeneity Uniform and
homogenous
Uniform and
homogenous
Uniform and
homogenous
Uniform and
homogenous
Consistency Good Good Good Good
Texture Smooth Smooth Smooth Smooth
Spreadability (cm.g/s) 90.08 ± 0.014 90.79 ± 0.10 80.25 ± 0.025 80.75 ± 0.03
Extrudability (%)72.14 ± 0.032 72.28 ± 0.025 71.45 ± 0.22 71.68 ± 0.01
Viscosity (cP) 35,487 ± 0.95 34,080 ± 0.57 43,751 ± 0.58 43,320 ± 0.66

344 JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE
A slight decrease (∼0.9%) in viscosity was observed after storage for 30 days, which could
be attributed to the fluctuations in the storage temperature.39 The decrease in viscosity has
led to increases in the spreadability and extrudability parameters by ∼0.6% and ∼0.3%,
respectively, but these variations in rheological properties were within the acceptable
limit.37,38
MEASUREMENT OF UV PROTECTION EFFICACY
The results of measurements of UV protection efficacy (Table IV) and the absorbance curve
showing critical wavelength of the formulated cream (Figure 6) indicate its moderate broad-
spectrum UV protection potential. The changes in UV protection efficacy parameters (i.e.,
SPF ∼0.3% and UVA ratio values ∼0.6%) were within the acceptable limit.37,38 The critical
wavelength remained unchanged at the end of the study period (30 days), indicating no
change in efficacy of the formulation.
In the present study, 10% carotenoid extract was incorporated into the sunscreen
formulation. The purified carotenoid may be explored in future studies to compare its
efficacy with respect to the crude extract. Furthermore, some studies on sunscreens have
found that when antioxidants, like carotenoids, are combined with chemical filters (like
Table IV
Evaluation of UV Protection Efficacy of Formulated Sunscreen
Parameters Bc BcCE
0 days 30 days 0 days 30 days
SPF – – 12.76 ± 0.01 12.72 ± 0.007
UVA ratio – – 0.63 ± 0.009 0.626 ± 0.008
Star rating – – ******
Critical wavelength – – 370 nm 370 nm
Figure 6. UV absorbance spectrum and critical wavelength of BcCE.