The UK government has set safe limits for three commonly-used sun care ingredients.
Its Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) published opinions on benzophenone-3, octocrylene and dihydroxyacetone (DHA).
Benzophenone-3, also known as oxybenzone, and octocrylene are used as UV filters in sunscreens and cosmetics.
While DHA is a three-carbon sugar used as the primary ingredient in sunless tanning products.
The SAG-CS opinion on benzophenone-3 concluded that benzophenone-3 is safe for use at maximum concentrations of 6% in face cream, hand cream and lip products; 2% in body products; and 5% when used as a UV stabiliser in cosmetic products.
Octocrylene, meanwhile, has been deemed safe for use as a UV filter at a maximum concentration of 10% when used individually or in combination.
For both benzophenone-3 and octocrylene, SAG-CS also raised that a full risk assessment in children and adolescents should be conducted when adequate data and an appropriate methodology become available.
The group concluded that DHA is safe for use by adults, at certain concentrations, when used to produce a tanned appearance in the absence of UV light.
These are 14% for leave on self tan (lotion and non-aerosol spray); 14% for leave on self tan (spray booth weekly application); 22.5% for rinse-off self tan (rinse-off lotion); and 6.25% for non-oxidative hair colourant (leave-on).
SAG-CS also concluded that DHA is safe for use by adults at the above concentrations when considering an aggregate usage scenario.
However, the group raised some challenges about the use of such products in those under 14 years old.