UV SENSOR SI1145, ARDUINO

Mansi Advani
 The sunscreen industry markets its products with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings.

For this tutorial, some branded sunscreen products of various SPF ratings have been tested for their UV
absorbance and effectiveness.

SPF shows the protection from only UVB rays, responsible for causing redness and sunburn, while UVA
rays are more dangerous, because they penetrate skin more deeply and are linked to skin cancer.
Perhaps, SPF does not measure a sunscreens protection against UVA rays, but UVB rays.
SPF measures the difference between the amount of sunlight that causes redness in sunscreen-protected
skin, and the amount that causes redness in unprotected skin.
 SPF 15- sunscreen, theoretically gives you 15 times the minutes to stay out before you burn.

Its a myth that SPF of 30 would allow people to remain twice as long in the sun as an SPF 15. But the truth is that
SPF 15 blocks about 92-93% of UVB rays, while an SPF 30 blocks about 96% and an SPF 50 about 97%. So, higher
SPF doesnt necessarily create more protection after a certain point.

Moreover, these numbers have nothing to do with UVA rays, so people slathering on 50 SPF, staying in the sun for
hours are more likely to suffer severe skin damage if they do not have a wide spectrum of sunscreen that protects
from both UVA and UVB rays.

SPF products are mostly made with higher percentages of chemicals, which might be linked to hormone disruption,
initiate allergic reactions, and potentially be an exposure to more free-radical damage.

Moreover, skin products, nowadays, are expensive enough, that someone might end up buying gold instead!
 For that reason, I chose to experiment and compare a few branded sunscreens with SPF-15, along with comparing
liquid sunscreen vs. powdered/ compact sunscreens.

It is good to know that UV-sensitive beads are most commonly used to detect UV, as they contain photo-
chromatic dyes that react to UV light and cause the normally white beads to change into vibrant colors when
exposed to sunlight. When they are shielded from UV radiation, the beads turn purple (or other depending on the
default manufacturing), even on a cloudy day. As the intensity of UV radiation increases, the color gets darker.
UV Beads under sunlight or UV torch:
 Materials:
Various sunscreen lotions with SPF values of 15 & powdered sunscreen with SPF 26
Box of clear quart-size plastic sealable bags
UV sensor SI1145; using Arduino

Method:
Place the UV sensor Place inside of a clear plastic bag and seal. Make sure that only the plastic is between the
sun and the detector
Apply a uniform layer of SPF 15 sunscreen over the bag, making sure the bag is thoroughly covered. Allow the
lotion to dry.
Place the bag in direct sunlight.
Remove the UV-sensor from the bag.
Repeat the same with another brand of sunscreen with about similar SPF value.
Place the UV-sensor inside another clear plastic bag and seal.
Place the bag in direct sunlight, record the results, and place the detector in an area where sunlight cannot
penetrate.
 Repeat this same procedure using sunscreen with SPF 26 value.
For a more scientifically accurate investigation the entire processed should be repeated twice more.
Record the data.

Observation:
It is observed that the x - sunscreen with SPF 15, and y with SPF 15 tend to show different results.
 Normal UV radiation
tested with UV sensor

Y-sunscreen with SPF-

15

Normal UV radiation
tested with UV sensor

X- sunscreen
with SPF-15
 Conclusion

These values show that originally, the UV was about 5-8 units, which shows that sunscreen needs to be applied

Indeed, with the application of x-sunscreen, it drops down to about 3, is in an average range of protection
The y-sunscreen lotion shows an UV index of about 1-2, which proves to be a very effective sunscreen.

Not to mention the brand, yet the x-sunscreen values about $215, where as the y-sunscreen values about $80
Moroever, it is important to know that what ever brand of sunscreen must be reapplied every 2-3 hours to
continuously protect heat, else, the sunscreens have adverse effect when not reapplied and exposed to sun as
compared to not applying at all.
So friends, whats your choice? Spending a lot of money on expensive skin care products and still not
obtaining the definite results? Or making one DIY sunscreen at home.