All About Melanin

The scientific basis of Apoptosis Protection Factor [APF]: Zinc Oxide + Melanin

*Zinc Oxide [ZnO] acts as a physical block that scatters light thereby stopping it from reaching the skin.

*Black Sesame Melanin acts as a chromophore that absorbs light energy and converts it into heat energy thereby dissipating it before it reaches the skin.

The two graphs below show how both active ingredients absorb light in   the UV A and B ranges. The left side of each graph shows how much light is blocked by the ingredient being tested. The bottom of each graph shows the UV wavelength at which it is being tested. The different sets of points on each graph represent different concentrations at which each ingredient is being tested:

These are known as Absorbance Studies that measure the amount of light passing through each substance. Some sunscreen ingredients may not be subjected to this rigorous type of scientific test to measure how much UV light they are stopping from reaching the skin’s surface. This is the special   test for determining Apoptosis Protection Factor {APF} in Moondust Natural Sunscreens. Individually, an acceptable reading lies between Level 1 and 4 for each active ingredient. When added together, Level 4 will provide adequate protection in the various UV ranges. The higher the reading on the scale from 0 to 4, the greater the UV light being blocked.

Zinc oxide provides a reading of Level 2.75 in the UV A range; Level 2.875 in the UV B range.
Black sesame melanin provides a reading of Level 1.25 in the UV A range; Level 2.25 in the UV B range.

Together, zinc oxide and black sesame melanin provide Level 4.0 in the UV A range and Level 5.125 in the UV B range. Thus, these readings indicate that this combination provides excellent sun protection in the UV A and B ranges.

Melanin is natural pigment which can be classified into two main groups: eumelanin (brown/black melanin) and pheomelanin (red/yellow melanin). Both types are heterogeneous copolymers composed of the building blocks shown above. Therefore, the exact structure is difficult or impossible to define.