BASF has updated its Sunscreen Simulator, the company’s digital lab for the development and optimization of sun care formulations. The new generation will be officially launched at this year’s in-cosmetics Global, held from April 8 to 10 in Amsterdam.

One of the main new technical features is the option to select different formulation types, including oil in water (O/W), water in oil (W/O) or oils, to explore the effect of the sunscreen formulation chassis on performance. “Considering the impact of the formulation type and its viscosity on the Sun Protection Factor is a significant step forward in obtaining a more accurate simulation and prediction of the SPF,” said Dr Myriam Sohn, Principal Scientist at BASF’s Global Technical Center Sun Care.

With this upgrade, customers have access to solubility calculations and evaluations. By connecting the filter system with specific emollients, they gain clear information on the dissolved percentage of each solid UV filter and can assess the interactions between these ingredients to streamline their formulation development.

Another feature enables formulators to gain insight into regulatory requirements. It assists them in identifying the right UV filters to meet specific market needs by providing SPF and UVA protection ratings for selected regions. Moreover, BASF’s EcoSun Pass criterion provides information on the environmental compatibility of the chosen UV filter combinations.

The Sunscreen Simulator has established itself as an industry benchmark that can be used to start new sunscreen developments. It has benefited from continuous improvements over the past 25 years to increase the accuracy of prediction.

With its integration into D’lite, BASF’s digital knowledge service platform for the personal care industry, users can leverage the BASF ecosystem to increase efficiency and innovation throughout the formulation development process.