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Oxybenzone (OXB) is one of the most widely employed sunscreen ingredients, yet its allowed load is limited to a maximum of 6% reflecting the frequency with which adverse effects are reported. From a spectroscopic point of view, OXB has excellent absorption properties in both the UVB and UVA regions. We propose that zeolite encapsulation can lead to a sunscreen composite ingredient, that we describe as a supramolecular sunscreen, that will retain the excellent spectroscopic properties of OXB, while preventing contact between the skin and the active ingredient. OXB is very photostable, with the only photodegradative pathway observed being the monophotonic photoejection of electrons that leads to trace yields of phenoxyl radicals; this trace reaction is so minor that it cannot be detected from the recovery of unreacted OXB following UV exposure. Solution, as well as powder and in vitro studies of the supramolecular sunscreen, demonstrate that the protective properties of OXB are totally preserved when encapsulated in zeolite NaY.

Fluorescein (2-(6-hydroxy-3-oxo-(3H)-xanthen-9-yl)benzoic acid) has been prepared inside the pores of zeolite-Y via ship-in-a-bottle synthesis. Fluorescein, whose dimensions prevent it from entering through the ∼7 A windows of the faujasite zeolite used, was prepared by the acid-catalyzed reaction of resorcinol and phthalic anhydride. In this article we report initial spectroscopic data as well as an example of the usefulness of these fluorescence-labeled nanoparticles for imaging applications such as confocal fluorescence microscopy. Encapsulated fluorescein shows a remarkable increase in photostability.

Methyl triazone (4,4′,4″-[1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltriimino]tris-trimethyl benzoate) has been included in mesoporous MCM-41 (Mobil's composition of matter-41) silica, and its fluorescence emission has been compared in solution and in the solid state. Although inclusion does not affect significantly the absorption properties, a fluorescence emission shift and a behavior similar to the solid state has been observed by increasing the loading. It is believed that this observation reflects molecular aggregation inside the MCM-41 channels. The potential of formulations of this type for sunscreen applications is discussed.

The phototoxic and photoallergic effects of the once popular UV sunscreen p-aminobanzoic acid are related, in part, to its ability to sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen as well as other reactive oxygen species. In this work we demonstrate that the sunscreen-photoinduced inactivation of a model protein, horseradish peroxidase, is reduced by approximately a factor of three when the sunscreen is encaspsulated in zeolite sodium Y. These results provide evidence that using the technology of zeolite encapsulation to prepare a supramolecular sunscreen that minimizes the skin contact of active ingredients may reduce the adverse effects of "naked" sunscreens on biological systems. These radiation-induced effects, unfortunately, frequently accompany the desirable UV-screening role of these products. These results provide an important benchmark for the use of zeolite encapsulation as a means of improving the safety of UV sunscreens for topical application.