sunscreen

Sunscreen, also known as sunblock, sun lotion or sun cream, is a photoprotective topical product for the skin that helps protect against sunburn and prevent skin cancer. Sunscreens come as lotions, sprays, gels, foams (such as an expanded foam lotion or whipped lotion), sticks, powders and other topical products. Sunscreens are common supplements to clothing, particularly sunglasses, sunhats and special sun protective clothing, and other forms of photoprotection (such as umbrellas). Sunscreen is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.

Sunscreen products may be classified according to the type of active ingredient(s) present in the formulation (inorganic compounds or organic molecules) as: Mineral sunscreens (also referred to as physical sunscreens), which use only inorganic compounds (zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide) as active ingredients. These ingredients primarily work by absorbing UV rays but also through reflection and refraction. Chemical sunscreens, which use organic molecules as active ingredients. Chemical sunscreen ingredients work by absorbing the UV rays. Additionally, particulate organic UV filters, such as bisoctrizole, can also reflect and scatter a small portion of incident UV light. Hybrid sunscreens, which contain a combination of organic and inorganic UV filters.