A Helping Hand 

It is not wise for humans to spend hours toasting under the scorching sun – prolonged exposure to UV rays can lead to sunburns and skin cancer – which is why many people wear sunscreen. 

However, an estimated 6,000 to 14,000 tons of commercial sunscreen end up in the ocean each year, with its chemicals harming ocean wildlife. 

Now, scientists have created the first pollen-based sunscreen derived from Camellia flowers that would be safe for fish and other marine creatures.  

“We know that pollen is naturally UV-resistant, as its shell needs to protect its inner contents from harsh environmental conditions, including sunlight,” explained Nam-Joon Cho, author of a new study on pollen-based sunscreen, in a statement. “Our research aimed to develop a way to process pollen grains into a gel-like form, so that they can be easily applied to human skin.” 

Pollen is coated in a substance called sporopollenin – one of the toughest natural biopolymers found on the planet: This substance is so tough that traces have been found in fossils dating back millions of years. 

Using a proprietary water-based method that avoids harsh chemicals and high temperatures, the team gathered pollen from both camellias and sunflowers, emptied the pollen shells, and transformed them into a microgel formulation, similar to those used in skincare. 

In lab tests on corals, commercial sunscreen triggered coral bleaching in just two days, resulting in coral death in six days. The pollen-based sunscreen appeared to be harmless, and corals remained healthy for up to 60 days. 

“It’s difficult to pinpoint how much harm each factor contributes to complex marine ecosystems, so any effort to reduce chemical pollution is welcome,” said Martin. “This pollen-based sunscreen is a promising step towards protecting both human health and marine life.”  

Meanwhile, experiments on animals showed that both the camellia and sunflower pollen microgels effectively blocked UV rays and reduced skin cell damage and inflammation just as effectively as commercial sunscreens.   

Camellia, which is considered non-allergenic due to its self-pollinating nature, provided the best results. It is also easy to procure as a relatively inexpensive health supplement, according to New Atlas. 

“We wanted to develop an affordable and effective natural sunscreen that is non-allergenic to humans and (friendly) to the environment,” said Cho.  

As a bonus, the Camellia pollen microgel also showed an ability to reduce surface skin temperature, helping to keep the skin cool under the simulated sunlight of the lab.