Researchers Introduce Novel Sunscreen Derived from Pollen Grains
In a groundbreaking discovery, a new sunscreen formula based on the pollen of camellia flowers has been found to block ultraviolet (UV) light as effectively as existing commercial sunscreens. This development, which lays the foundation for an explosion of potential new discoveries in sustainable sun protection, was co-authored by Cho Nam-Joon, who aims to develop an affordable and effective natural sunscreen that is non-allergenic to humans and eco-friendly to the environment.
The study, conducted by the Biomimetic Materials Group and published in 2021, compared the effectiveness of the camellia pollen-based sunscreen with both mineral and chemical sunscreens. The camellia pollen-based sunscreen had a sun protection factor (SPF) of about 30, comparable to many commercial sunscreens.
In laboratory experiments, the camellia pollen-based sunscreen was tested on corals and mice. The corals exposed to the pollen-based sunscreens appeared unbleached even after two months, in contrast to those exposed to regular sunscreen, which began bleaching after just two days and was completely white after two weeks. The mice that didn't receive sunscreen had thinner skin after the same UV exposure, but both the camellia pollen and the regular sunscreen gels prevented skin cancer when the mice were exposed to UV light for a few minutes per day.
While mineral sunscreens such as zinc oxide and titanium oxide are thought to affect aquatic animals less, their effects are still being studied. On the other hand, between 4,000 and 14,000 tons of UV-filtering compounds from chemical sunscreens enter the ocean each year, and these compounds, including oxybenzone, octocrylate, and octinoxate, have been linked to coral bleaching.
As the next steps, the research team plans to assess whether the pollen-based sunscreen is toxic to other wildlife in natural environments. If successful in human trials, the pollen-based sunscreen might be a commercial product in five to eight years.
It is important to note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical or skin care advice. Before trying any new sunscreen, it is always recommended to consult with a dermatologist or a healthcare professional.
In addition to the camellia pollen sunscreen, the team also prepared water-based gels made from pollen extracted from sunflowers for testing. The sunflower pollen sunscreen's SPF was around 5, suggesting that further research and development may be needed to improve its effectiveness.
When applied to a person's forearm, the camellia pollen kept the person's skin 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) cooler in sunlight than skin with chemical sunscreen applied. This cooling effect, combined with the sunscreen's eco-friendliness and potential affordability, makes the camellia pollen sunscreen an exciting prospect for the future of sun protection.
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