Recent Progress in the Production of Lignin-based Sunscreens: A Review

Technical lignins are becoming an attractive natural, renewable, and nontoxic ingredient in sunscreens, having the capability for replacing synthetic compounds. Researchers have reported that lignin can increase the solar protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens and provide sun protection to body creams. However, to achieve the valorization of lignin in the fabrication of personal care products, it is necessary to overcome several challenges related to their molecular complexity and unattractive color. Fractionation, chemical modification, whitening, particle size reduction, and the synthesis of nanocomposites and copolymers are strategies reported to overcome the lignin challenges in the development of lignin-based sunscreens. This paper summarizes and analyzes previous research studies and outstanding findings (from 2016 to 2022) directed at the reduction of the problems that limit the extensive applications of lignin in skincare products such as sunscreens.