Current problems in the use of organic UV fi lters to protect skin from excessive sun exposure

The evidences of the harmful effects of skin exposure to excessive UltraViolet (UV) radiation, primarily on the development of skin cancer, have increased over the last decade. Therefore, national and international health authorities have encouraged the public to take protective sunscreens, and respectively also everyday cosmetics containing UV fi lters. In these products, a mixture of the UV fi lters, including both inorganic and organic nature, has been shown to be more effective than the individual UV fi lter. However, currently there are concerns about the safety and actual effectiveness of some UV fi lters; especially about certain UV-absorbing compounds (organic UV fi lters). Three cardinal problems are the most questionable. First, that certain UV fi lters are absorbed through the skin resulting in systemic exposure with unknown consequences. Second, that certain UV fi lters show the potential to be adversely endocrine disruptors. Third, that certain UV fi lters are partially degraded by UV radiation, what making them photounstable and unable to fulfi l their basic protective function. The purpose of this article is to discuss these problems.