ALEXANDRA LAN¹, BIN CHEN1, LEI YE¹, KEESUH LEE¹, NAN LU*¹, DONGFANG KANG¹, J. LADEMANN², S. SCHANZER² , SILKE B. LOHAN² , MARTINA C. MEINKE²
*Corresponding author
1.  Shanghai Pechoin Daily Chemical Corporation, Shanghai, China
2.  Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Despite the fact we have been working to eradicate the deleterious effects of the sun on our skin over the last few decades, sun cancer rates continue to increase. This article discloses an approach to sun care formulations that combines not only traditional UV absorbers, but also antioxidants derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but also other additives to expand the effectiveness of the formulation and a skin cooling agent.  This article discusses new concepts in sun care, namely expanding the range of protection, and adding antioxidants from traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for quenching free radicals.

Moderate exposure to the sun is essential for our health and wellbeing, and in particular, UVB radiation is needed for vitamin D synthesis (1). However, excessive exposure to the sun may cause erythema (sunburn), skin damage and the development of free radicals, if its dose is higher than a critical value. In general, free radicals are needed in the body for the regulation of many physiological processes, such as cell communication and signal transduction. However, a high concentration of free radicals can cause oxidative stress, immune suppression, premature skin aging and skin cancer (2, 3).

Despite the steadily improving performance of  sunscreens that protect in the UV region, a reduction in skin cancer rates could be expected. However, statistics show annually increasing incidence rates for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer worldwide. Nowadays, it is known that 50% of the free radicals produced in the human skin ... ...