All About Skin Lightening: BASF Sunscreen Simulator – Excellent Tool For Calculating PPD Rating Of A Sunscreen

Friday, February 4, 2011

BASF Sunscreen Simulator – Excellent Tool For Calculating PPD Rating Of A Sunscreen

Photo Credit: BASF

Edit: Keep in mind that the BASF Sunscreen Simulator is simply an estimation. It does not take everything into account (other ingredients that enhance sun protection (antioxidants etc.). Another tip is to look for the UVA measurement rating for your sunscreen based on the region the sunscreen is manufactured/from. So if you are looking up a Japanese sunscreen, it is best to look at the PA ++ system as each region does vary in its measurements of ingredients and %'s.

If you are interested in getting an estimate on the PPD rating of your sunscreen, check out the web based sunscreen simulator offered by BASF. This is an excellent tool for anyone who wishes to know the UVA protection of a particular sunscreen.

The core benefit of using this sunscreen simulator as stated on the official BASF website:

The simulator enables a virtual combination of different UVA, UVB and broad-spectrum filters in various dosages according to user specifications. The main benefits for formulators are: they can test their formulations' photo stability online, thereby shortening the testing period and reducing time to market.

Using this site is incredibly straightforward.

Simply register on the website, activate your account through your e-mail and begin calculating the PPD of your sunscreen using the given %’s of the active ingredients.

Make sure you select ‘All Filters’ in the drop menu up top near filters by region section (the default is Europe).

Plug in the % in the box next to the ingredients and hit start calculation up top. This sunscreen simulator will give you the UVB and UVA ratings according to all various methods of measurements per region (US, Japan (i.e. PA ++) and Europe).

This is an outstanding, highly effective tool you can use to help you narrow down the right sunscreen for you.

Link To Sunscreen Simulator:

http://www.sunscreensimulator.basf.com/Sunscreen_Simulator/Login_show.action

Official BASF Website:

http://www2.basf.us/corporate/news2005/031705_T-Lite.htm

Also...

What is PPD?

http://allaboutskinlightening.blogspot.com/2009/06/making-best-use-of-sunscreen-inhibiting.html

Labels: PPD

13 Comments:

Anonymous said...: Hello, Mileena!
I ran the sunscreen simulator on Sofina's Perfect UV Lucent with 3.0 mg/cm^3 of application, 13.87% ZnO (water phase), and 4% Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. But it failed on the EU and CH requirements. Can you explain how the EU system work and why this sunscreen failed? I really liked Sofina's and it's disapointing that it didn't meet EU and CH requirement.; February 8, 2011 at 9:17 AM
Mileena said...: Hey!

Don't worry about that. Though the BASF is an excellent tool it isn't always the most accurate. Remember sunscreen is not just about the % of the active (and whether they are in a stable combination or not) but how they finish and react on the skin. Greasy sunscreens that migrate on the skin are MUCH weaker because the protective coating does not stay in place on the skin. This sunscreen stimulator won't take that into consideration. Sunscreen has to stay put on the skin to protect you. There are lots of studies out there showing how sunscreen that is matte or stays on the skin (as well as not vigorously blended in, just well patted INTO the skin) protects better against the sun.

The EU and CH requirements are just measurements of UVA radiation from Europe. Different regions measure % of actives differently than others. It's a bit of a skewed system, most sunscreens get a FAIL in those regions. Do not pay attention to that.

The rule is to look for the region where the sunscreen was made/comes from. Sofina is from Japan, a PA+++ is VERY good for everyday wear (PPD of 8-12 is excellent and should be enough to protect you daily, unless you are at the beach for 3+ hours in direct sunlight every single day!).

:); February 8, 2011 at 12:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Mileena,

I just emailed you about the constant breakouts I'm having. Starting to wonder if skin lightening is really worth it for me or not, cause my skin just won't clear up :( Would really appreciate a reply from you.

Many thanks,
Hana; February 9, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Mileena said...: Hi Hana,

Check your e-mail, I just sent you a reply ♥; February 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you so very much for the quick and detailed response <3 I'm leaning towards the P&J not suiting me since I've stopped using it for 2 days the situation has somewhat, slightly improved (no new breakouts). I've been using the sunscreen (shisedo ultimate SPF 60) for 3 months now and even gave my skin a break from it to see if that helped. So far the culprit seems to be P&J for me. I'm thinking of giving my skin a break and getting on the wagon again, once my skin clears up :)

Thanks again, really appreciate it <3
Hana; February 9, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Mileena said...: Taking a break from a skin care 'regimen' is something that has always worked for me. It certainly does seem the P&J is the culprit unfortunately =(

Just be gentle with your skin and give yourself time - it'll subside.

Once you the breakout does clear, contact me so perhaps I can help you build another regimen or help with setting a different skin lightening goal or approach. <3; February 9, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Will definitely get in touch as soon as things normalize :) thank you!

Much love,
Hana; February 9, 2011 at 1:43 PM
Anonymous said...: thanks for this! both of the sunscreens I am interested in passed the ppd test (PA+++) and block uva rays efficiently! i am still deciding about which one i should get:

Soleo 22% zinc oxide
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/finding-the-best-sunscreens/145707/Soleo-Organics-All-Natural-Sunscreen-SPF/

Badger 20% zinc oxide
http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/finding-the-best-sunscreens/320521/Badger-Sunscreen-for-Face-and-Body-SPF--Lightly-Scented/

both look great, have a high ppd, have zinc oxide as the active. they're both natural. i checked them out at the health shop by my house. i wanted to ask an expert :P thanks! :D; February 10, 2011 at 7:01 PM
Mileena said...: Hi,

lol I'm by no means an expert, but I really do appreciate that you thought of asking my opinion before purchasing. =D! <3

I would be probably not be able to tolerate either of them! Only because I am ultra sensitive to any natural oils. But solely from the ingredients (and degree of comedogenic property per ingredient should be taken with a grain of salt. Everybody reacts differently to different ingredients) I would go with the Badger 20% Zinc Oxide one for the Face & Body.

The Badger 20% Zinc Oxide has less ingredients which is usually a better sign since there's less chance of problematic ingredients but the ingredients are filled with rich, emollients like OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL and THEOBROMA CACAO (CACAO) SEED BUTTER. Shea butter is generally well tolerated (it doesn't break me out at all) and neither does cacao seed butter. The only somewhat risky ingredient there is the Olive Oil which is fine if you know your skin can tolerate natural oils. It's not known to be incredibly comedogenic but then again I cannot guarantee that since it always varies. But based the ingredients as a whole, it has less potentially pore clogging ingredients.

The Soleo 22% Zinc Oxide doesn't seem bad, but it has a few known acne triggers like Vitamin E (TOCOPHEROL) <--- even though it's low on the ingredient list, it can be problematic. I break out like crazy from it. Most of the risky stuff is at the bottom of the ingredient list.

It is hard to decide really but I always go with products with less ingredients as possible since there is just less of chance of a problem.

♥♥♥; February 10, 2011 at 7:23 PM
Anonymous said...: I've used and still have the Badger sunscreen (the exact same one you mention, lightly scented). I HATE it on my face because I have oily and acne prone skin. It's greasy, hard to apply and leaves a white cast. But I do appreciated the high zinc content since my eyes are sensitive to chemical sunscreen (it stings). So I only used the Badger for my body. On the upside, the hard to apply white cast tells me if I miss any spots on my body. The fragrance isn't very nice, sort of plastic-ly, but it isn't strong.; February 11, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Mileena said...: There is no point in putting up with a sunscreen that you hate or just is not cosmetically elegant on the skin. Go for the Soleo 22% zinc oxide for the face and just use the Badger solely on your body. =); February 11, 2011 at 5:35 PM
Unknown said...: whats your opinion on powder sunscreen? like what if i wanna use a sunscreen that's not so matte. but then i use spf powder on top of it to kill the shine.; February 20, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Mileena said...: I have no problem with powder sunscreen. I've used a couple in the past.

All makeup to some extent disturbs the protective coating of the sunscreen, but in the same turn, have excess grease on the face from the sunscreen can lead to migration of the protective coating and less protection so being matte is important. Plus I am a firm believer that you shouldn't compromise with a sunscreen - there is no point in putting up with shininess.

Putting on SPF powder is a great option to kill of the shine. If it contains complimentary active sunscreen filters similar to that of your sunscreen, then it can enhance the protection somewhat (very minimally). It sure is more beneficial than using blotting paper or heavy duty liquid foundation. =); February 21, 2011 at 1:52 PM

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Friday, February 4, 2011

BASF Sunscreen Simulator – Excellent Tool For Calculating PPD Rating Of A Sunscreen

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