Sunscreens: Past, Present, and Future

Sunscreens form an important modality for cutaneous photoprotection. Sunscreen formulations incorporate many features that provide protection from ultraviolet (UV)-induced carcinogenesis, immunosuppression, and accelerated photoaging. Since the 1920s, when the link between skin cancer and UV radiation was first observed, sunscreen use has become part of our daily routine. Chemical and physical modifications are continuously made to formulations so that they may be more appealing to the general population, especially to those with fair skin. The demand for a formula that is effective in its UV protection while at the same time is adoptable in its application and exposure characteristics is an important consideration in the development of sunscreens. Because of continued development, technological advances, and substantive gains in knowledge on UV-induced photodamage, at present, we are able to produce effective formulations, and although these formulations do not provide total spectrum protection, they are considerably better than sunscreens of the past.