 This review describes recent efforts on the synthesis, dispersion and surface functionalization of the three dominating oxide nanoparticles used for photocatalytic, UV blocking and sunscreen applications, titanium, zinc oxide, and ceria. The stabilization of oxide nanoparticle in both aqueous and non-aqueous media requires a good understanding of the magnitude of the inter particle forces and surface chemistry of the materials. This article was authored by Bertrand IV, German Salazar Alvarez, Anwar Arnyas, Irune Villa Luenga, Gemma Berio Zabel, Yolanda Arda Miguel and Lennon Borgstrom.