Pro-Lite stocks the Weneos HelioPlate HD6 molded and SB6 sandblasted PMMA plates used as substrates for the in vitro UV transmittance testing of sunscreen formulations. These plates are certified in compliance with all relevant international standards and guidelines.
The in vitro testing of sunscreens requires that you measure the UV transmittance of a thin layer of sunscreen product. Accepted best practice is to apply a defined amount of sample onto a UV transparent plate (the substrate) that has a roughness similar to that of human skin. One first measures the transmittance of the substrate without sample applied, then repeat the measurement with the formulation spread onto the slide. The ratio of the two transmittance measurements is used in the computation of the in vitro sun protection factor (SPF), UVAPF, Critical Wavelength and for photostability testing.
HelioScreen’s PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) is considered the subtrate material of choice for in vitro sunscreen testing. These 47 x 47mm (spreading area) slides are directly compatible with the Labsphere UV3000S sunscreen UV transmittance analyser and are available in two formats. We also offer HD0 reference plates. Please note that once a sunscreen formulation has been spread onto a HelioPlate PMMA slide, it should not be cleaned or reused – each slide should only be used once and then disposed of.
Small variations in the thickness of the sunscreen film when spread onto a substrate can yield much larger variations in absorbance and SPF. Even with practice, achieving the desired uniform film thickness is challenging. For this reason, standards require that you prepare a number of slides and measure the average UV transmittance at multiple positions over several slides per sample of sunscreen tested.
Metallic support is recommended for positioning HD6-SB6 substrates and spreading sun products.
HelioPlate HD6 slides are manufactured by means of a molding process and are supplied with a quality certificate ensuring the reproducibility of the plate roughness. The characteristics of this substrate – roughness and transmission – are in complete compliance with all international standards and methods, including ISO 24443:2021, Colipa in vitro UVA rev. 2011, the FDA monograph 2021 and Boots Star Rating system rev. 2011.
HelioPlate SB6 slides are precision shot-blasted and are preferred when testing certain types of “challenging” sunscreen formulations. As with the molded HD6 plates, SB6 slides are supplied with a quality certificate that guarantees the reproducibility of the plate roughness. These plates are certified for compliance with ISO 24443:2021, ISO/FDIS 23675, ISO/FDIS 23698, the FDA monograph 2021 and Boots Star Rating system rev. 2011
HelioPlate HD0 is a set of two calibration plates that are formed from PMMA doped with UV absorber filters. These are intended for performing the normative test to check the additivity and the linearity of your spectrophotometer or UV transmittance analyser in accordance with ISO 24443 – Annex A.
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