Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a technique used in the field of dermatology for assessing optical properties of skin and drugs or topical ingredients applied to the skin. It can measure skin proliferation, photodamage that has occurred to the skin, blood content, and even diagnose certain skin cancers. Evaluation of sunscreen protection on human skin using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was initially limited to the UVA portion of the spectrum, but recently a technique was devised that allows for determination of ultraviolet (UV) protection across the entire solar UV spectrum (290-400nm). This technique named “Hybrid Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy*” (HDRS) provides a fast and simple assessment of sunscreen protection in vivo that could replace extensive sunburning and damaging exposures to human test subjects as currently mandated by regulatory bodies across the globe.

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