ISO 24444 Make-up Materials - Sun Protection - In Vivo Determination of Sun Protection Factor (SPF) Test

EUROLAB, with its state-of-the-art accredited laboratories and expert team, offers precise and rapid testing services within the scope of ISO 24444 testing. This standard covers a method for the in vivo determination of the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen products. It applies to products that contain any ingredients that can absorb, reflect or scatter ultraviolet (UV) rays and are intended to come into contact with human skin.

This standard provides a basis for evaluating sunscreen products for the protection of human skin against erythema caused by solar ultraviolet rays.

The level of sun protection provided by sunscreen products is traditionally estimated using the sun protection factor, or SPF test, which uses the skin's erythemal response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. SPF is a ratio calculated from the energies required to trigger the minimal erythemal response when a sunscreen product is applied or not applied to the skin of human test subjects. It uses ultraviolet radiation, usually from an artificial source.

The SPF testing method is a laboratory method that uses a xenon arc lamp solar simulator (or equivalent) of defined and known output to determine the protection that sunscreen products provide to human skin against erythema caused by solar ultraviolet rays.

One part of each subject's skin is exposed to ultraviolet light without any protection, while another (different) part is exposed after application of the sunscreen product being tested. Another chapter is revealed after the application of an SPF reference sunscreen formulation used to validate the procedure.

To determine the sun protection factor, a series of delayed erythemal responses are triggered in the skin, increasing in a series of small subregions. These responses are evaluated visually for the presence of erythema 16 to 24 hours after UV radiation, by the judgment of a trained and competent evaluator.

EUROLAB assists manufacturers with ISO 24444 test compliance. Our test experts, with their professional working mission and principles, provide you, our manufacturers and suppliers, the best service and controlled testing process in our laboratories. Thanks to these services, businesses receive more effective, high-performance and quality testing services and provide safe, fast and uninterrupted service to their customers.