Helioplex is a sunscreen technology that combines avobenzone and oxybenzone for maximum UVA and UVB protection. Developed by Neutrogena® in 2005, it stabilizes sunscreen ingredients to prevent a reduction in effectiveness. Traditional sunscreen products only offer UVB protection, but Helioplex provides broad spectrum protection. It is primarily composed of avobenzone and oxybenzone, which absorb UVA and UVB rays respectively. The stabilizing property extends the sun protection capabilities of the ingredients, but the sunscreen may still need to be reapplied periodically.
Helioplex is a type of sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection for the skin. It is the first sunscreen technology to effectively combine the ingredients avobenzone and oxybenzone for maximum ultraviolet protection. The technology protects the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Neutrogena® developed Helioplex technology in 2005. It was first introduced in the company’s line of Ultra Sheer® Sunblocks with SPF 55. Helioplex was designed to provide stabilization to sunscreen ingredients in order to block the sun from reduce its effectiveness.
Sunscreen products are typically marketed due to the degree of sun protection factor (SPF) they offer. SPF refers to the amount of protection from just the sun’s UVB rays. UVB rays are the ultraviolet rays of the sun that can produce short-term sunburn. Until the invention of Helioplex, most sunscreen products offered only UVB protection.
UVA rays produce milder, longer-term effects than UVB rays and are thought to contribute to skin aging. Sunscreen ingredients that absorb UVA rays tend to disintegrate shortly after being exposed to the sun, so traditional sunscreen products cannot be advertised as offering adequate UVA protection. Researchers found that when the UVA and UVB absorbing properties were combined with Hallbrite TQ Stabilizing Solvent, all chemicals retained their effectiveness.
Helioplex is primarily composed of the chemicals avobenzone and oxybenzone. Avobenzone, also known as Parsol 1789, is capable of absorbing UVA rays to prevent them from penetrating the skin’s surface. By itself, avobenzone may offer only brief protection because it is chemically unstable when exposed to ultraviolet light.
For broader spectrum sunscreen, oxybenzone is added to provide UVB protection. Oxybenzone is more effective at absorbing UVB sun rays, but may also offer minimal UVA protection. When avobenzone and oxybenzone are combined, they can provide comprehensive skin protection; however, without an added chemical stabilizer, the effectiveness won’t last.
The primary trademarked formula in Helioplex is the stabilizing property that extends the sun protection capabilities of avobenzone and oxybenzone. Once the stabilizing property is added to avobenzone and oxybenzone, the two ingredients work together better than if each ingredient were added to the skin separately. The properties of the technology absorb both types of ultraviolet rays from the sun, then alter the rays into safe light rays.
While sunscreens with Helioplex technology may last longer than other sunscreen products, they can lose their ability to protect. The ingredients are not completely waterproof, so you may need to reapply your sunscreen periodically if there is sweat or water on the skin’s surface. Sunscreen can also disintegrate over time.
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