Editing Sunscreen (section)

==== Star rating system ====
In the UK and Ireland, the [[Boots (chemist)|Boots]] star rating system is a proprietary ''[[in vitro]]'' method used to describe the ratio of UVA to UVB protection offered by sunscreen creams and sprays. Based on original work by Brian Diffey at [[Newcastle University]], the Boots Company in Nottingham, UK, developed a method that has been widely adopted by companies marketing these products in the UK.

One-star products provide the lowest ratio of UVA protection, five-star products the highest. The method was revised in light of the Colipa UVA PF test and the revised EU recommendations regarding UVA PF. The method still uses a [[spectrophotometer]] to measure absorption of UVA versus UVB; the difference stems from a requirement to pre-irradiate samples (where this was not previously required) to give a better indication of UVA protection and photostability when the product is used. With the current methodology, the lowest rating is three stars, the highest being five stars.

In August 2007, the FDA put out for consultation the proposal that a version of this protocol be used to inform users of American product of the protection that it gives against UVA;<ref name="qa2007"/> but this was not adopted, for fear it would be too confusing.<ref name="onpoint" />