Scientists develop new cooling sunscreen from an unusual ingredient
The coral-friendly sunscreen that’s made from flower pollen
- Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a new sunscreen made from camellia flower pollen.
- The innovative sunscreen effectively blocks UV rays, comparable to commercial products, and also provides a cooling effect, reducing skin temperature by approximately 5C for 20 minutes.
- Unlike many traditional sunscreens, the pollen-based version is environmentally friendly, causing no harm to coral reefs.
- The research team said that camellia pollen is generally non-allergenic, addressing concerns about hayfever.
- While not yet commercially available, the university is exploring options to scale up production and partner with industry to bring the product to market.