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SPF Testing Lab in India

Many manufacturers and distributors are ramping up production and ready to supply their sunscreen and SPF products as summer approaches. Many people will be looking for laboratories to complete their SPF and sunscreen testing before labelling and shipping.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) stands for Sun Protection Factor. The number is calculated in-vitro by exposing human volunteers to a light spectrum that mimics the noontime sun. The SPF is calculated by dividing the amount of light that causes redness in sunscreen-protected skin by the amount of light that causes redness in unprotected skin.

Many people get confused when it comes to selecting a sunscreen because of the variety of options available—and, more significantly, because we are unsure of what criteria we should consider to make our decision.

What is the ideal sun protection factor (SPF)? Is it better to block UVA or UVB? Should buyers care whether the product is a gel, a cream, or a spray? Should it be waterproof or water-resistant? When it comes to personal care, making decisions is never easy, which is why it’s critical to only use products that have been tested by certified labs and meet safety regulations.

What are sunscreens? What is its importance?

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, suntan lotion, or sun-protection cream, is a creamy lotion, gel, or other topical preparation that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays on exposed skin, helping to prevent sunburn and skin darkening. Because light skin is more prone to sun damage than darker skin, skin-lightening creams include sunscreen to protect lightened skin.

Organic chemical compounds that absorb ultraviolet radiation or inorganic particles that reflect, scatter, and absorb UV light are found in sunscreens (such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or a combination of both). Sunscreens are categorized as either physical sunscreens (those that reflect sunlight) or chemical sunscreens (those that absorb UV light).

What is SPF testing?

Specific testing is essential when making an SPF claim for a product. Accredited laboratories are able to determine the product’s effectiveness and safety while conducting these tests.

The SPF value of a product is determined by the time it takes for one’s skin to redden when exposed to UV radiation while wearing protection vs. without wearing protection. If a product has an SPF of 30, it means that if unprotected skin reddens in 10 minutes, it will take 30 times that amount of time, or 300 minutes, to redden when wearing the SPF 30 product as prescribed.

The SPF value of your product will be determined by the value generated from SPF testing data. You can then make labelling claims based on this value.

Relevant standards for SPF testing

The comparison testing is primarily based on the Indian Standard IS: 6608 for skin creams. and took into account the need for sun protection lotions.

India’s standards body has also adopted two international standards to determine the sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA protection in cosmetic sunscreens.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has mandated all sunscreen manufacturers informing to adhere to the following international standards:

• the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 24444 for in vivo testing and determination of SPF in sunscreen; and
• ISO 24442 cosmetics – sun protection test methods – in vivo determination of sunscreen UVA protection.

The SPF number: How much should it be?

The sun protection factor (SPF) of a sunscreen product influences how well it absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation on sun-exposed skin. It’s a measure of protection from the sun’s UVB rays, which cause sunburn.

The SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce sunburn on protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause sunburn on unprotected skin. The better the protection, the higher the SPF number. A good brand should have a decent SPF (near to or greater than the claimed value) which typically is ranging from 22.46 to 34.66.

As the summers approach, and SPF production goes up, so does the demand. Consumers want good protection from the sun whether they are surfing or having a picnic. Verifying and testing your product’s sun protection and water resistance claims under laboratory settings boosts brand trust.

If your company is manufacturing or distributing a sunscreen product and needs testing services of the SPF, SUBMIT LABORATORY TEST REQUEST or call +91 – 95 60 222 333 (Timings: 10 am to 6 pm. The Sigma Test and Research Centre Team will be happy to help.

Also read:

• Wet Wipes Testing Laboratory
• Cosmetics Testing Lab in India

• The Ugly Business of Cosmetics: Environmental Impact