An appropriate application of sunscreen can effectively protect UV damage but cause unpleasant skin oiliness. For this, oil blotting paper is commonly used to reduce oiliness.

A new study published in Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine evaluated the efficacy of sunscreen after applying oil blotting paper.

In this study, measurement of oiliness and sunscreen efficacy was compared before and after the use of oil blotting paper in 11 healthy volunteers – 10 femalesand 1 male. Here, 3 specific zones on each subjects back were exposed to UVR from a solar simulator; vis – no sunscreen; with sunscreen (organic sunscreen at 2 mg/cm2 SPF 30) left on for 30 minutes; and sunscreen left on for 30 minutes followed by application of oil blotting paper. Skin oiliness was also assessed before and after oil blotting. All areas were phototested for the comparison of the minimal erythema dose (MED) and sun protection factor (SPF).

The results revealed that the averaged MED of the subjects was 4.3 standard erythema doses (SED) in the unprotected area. The averaged MED was decreased after oil blotting from 89.8 SED to 59.8 SED. In addition, the SPF was decreased from 20.70 to 13.99.

Thus, it was inferred that theapplication of oil blotting paper significantly reduces the efficacy of organic sunscreen.

Source: Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. 2021 Jan 10. doi:10.1111/phpp.12656.