Alteration of skin light-scattering and absorption properties by application of sunscreen nanoparticles: A Monte Carlo study

We report about the results of our investigations on the alteration of optical properties of the superficial layer of human skin at four UV range wavelengths, 310, 318, 360 and 400 nm, by application of 35-200 nm-sized particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon (Si) and zinc oxide (ZnO). The theoretical study based on combination of the Mie theory and Monte Carlo simulations reveals the optimal sizes of the nanoparticles minimizing the light transmittance for the considered wavelengths.

Research highlights► Si nanoparticles surpass TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles in terms of UV light attenuation. ► Mechanism behind this is absorption and, to a lesser extent, scattering for Si nanoparticles. ► TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles perform on the similar level.