NTU Singapore scientists develop cooling sunscreen from pollen (VIDEO)
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Materials scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have invented the world’s first pollen-based sunscreen derived from Camellia flowers.
In experiments, the pollen-based sunscreen absorbed and blocked harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays as effectively as commercially available sunscreens, which use minerals or chemicals.
In laboratory tests on corals, commercial sunscreen induced coral bleaching in just two days, leading to coral death. In contrast, the pollen-based sunscreen did not affect the corals, which remained healthy.
The new pollen-based sunscreen can also reduce surface skin temperature by 5 degrees Celsius, helping to keep the skin cool in sunlight – something that conventional sunscreen cannot do.
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NTU Singapore
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