Bisoctrizole
Encyclopedia
Bisoctrizole is a benzotriazole-based organic compound
that is added to sunscreen
s to absorb UV
rays.
Bisoctrizole is a broad-spectrum
ultraviolet
radiation absorber, absorbing UVB as well as UVA rays. It also reflects and scatters UV. Bisoctrizole is a hybrid UV absorber, the only organic UV filter produced as microfine organic particles (< 200 nm), like microfine zinc oxide
and titanium dioxide
. Where other organic UV absorbers need to be dissolved in either the oil or water phase, bisoctrizole dissolves poorly in both.
Bisoctrizole is added to the water phase of a sunscreen as a 50% suspension
, whereas mineral micropigments are usually added to the oil phase. The bisoctrizole particles are stabilized by the surfactant
decyl glucoside
.
Bisoctrizole shows very little photodegradation
and has a stabilizing effect on other UV absorbers, octyl methoxycinnamate
(octinoxate) in particular.
When formulated into a sunscreen, bisoctrizole has minimal skin penetration. Unlike some other organic sunscreen actives, it shows no estrogen
ic effects in vitro
.
Bisoctrizole is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but is approved in the EU and other parts of the world.
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
that is added to sunscreen
Sunscreen
Sunblock is a lotion, spray, gel or other topical product that absorbs or reflects some of the sun's ultraviolet radiation on the skin exposed to sunlight and thus helps protect against sunburn...
s to absorb UV
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
rays.
Bisoctrizole is a broad-spectrum
Spectrum
A spectrum is a condition that is not limited to a specific set of values but can vary infinitely within a continuum. The word saw its first scientific use within the field of optics to describe the rainbow of colors in visible light when separated using a prism; it has since been applied by...
ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
radiation absorber, absorbing UVB as well as UVA rays. It also reflects and scatters UV. Bisoctrizole is a hybrid UV absorber, the only organic UV filter produced as microfine organic particles (< 200 nm), like microfine zinc oxide
Zinc oxide
Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound with the formula ZnO. It is a white powder that is insoluble in water. The powder is widely used as an additive into numerous materials and products including plastics, ceramics, glass, cement, rubber , lubricants, paints, ointments, adhesives, sealants,...
and titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...
. Where other organic UV absorbers need to be dissolved in either the oil or water phase, bisoctrizole dissolves poorly in both.
Bisoctrizole is added to the water phase of a sunscreen as a 50% suspension
Suspension (chemistry)
In chemistry, a suspension is a heterogeneous fluid containing solid particles that are sufficiently large for sedimentation. Usually they must be larger than 1 micrometer. The internal phase is dispersed throughout the external phase through mechanical agitation, with the use of certain...
, whereas mineral micropigments are usually added to the oil phase. The bisoctrizole particles are stabilized by the surfactant
Surfactant
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid...
decyl glucoside
Decyl glucoside
Decyl glucoside is a mild non-ionic surfactant used in cosmetic formularies including baby shampoo and in products for individuals with a sensitive skin...
.
Bisoctrizole shows very little photodegradation
Photodegradation
Photodegradation is degradation of a photodegradable molecule caused by the absorption of photons, particularly those wavelengths found in sunlight, such as infrared radiation, visible light, and ultraviolet light. However, other forms of electromagnetic radiation can cause photodegradation...
and has a stabilizing effect on other UV absorbers, octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl methoxycinnamate
Octyl methoxycinnamate or octinoxate , trade names Eusolex 2292 and Uvinul MC80, is an organic compound that is an ingredient in some sunscreens and lip balms. It is an ester formed from methoxycinnamic acid and 2-ethylhexanol...
(octinoxate) in particular.
When formulated into a sunscreen, bisoctrizole has minimal skin penetration. Unlike some other organic sunscreen actives, it shows no estrogen
Estrogen
Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
ic effects in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
.
Bisoctrizole is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but is approved in the EU and other parts of the world.
External links
- http://www.cibasc.com/index/ind-index/ind-per_car/ind-pc-uv/ind-pc-uv-tinosorbm.htm
- http://www.dermatologytimes.com/dermatologytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=159652
- http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/83/8315sunscreens.html
- http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/05n0446/05n-0446-bkg0001-03-Tab-01-vol2.pdf