Comparison of the Greenness Assessment of Chromatographic Methods Used for Analysis of UV Filters in Cosmetic Samples

Abstract

Chemical ultraviolet filters are widely used in a variety of cosmetic products to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation. In order to guarantee consumers’ health, the content in sunscreens is regulated in a number of countries. Many analytical methods are used to determine UV filters in cosmetics samples. In recent years, attention has been paid to the fact that the methods should have a small impact on the environment. This work examined the greenness of 10 reported chromatographic methods in the literature for the determination of UV filters in cosmetic samples using two new tools: analytical greenness metric (AGREE) and analytical greenness metric for sample preparation (AGREEprep). Microextraction methods of sample preparation in the AGREEprep assessment show a higher score of greenness. The results recommended the use of both tools to assess the greening of methods before planning laboratory analytical methods to measure their ecological impact on the environment.