This natural sunscreen is made from pollen and blocks UV rays just as well as traditional sunscreens.
A new study shows that pollen-based sunscreen offers effective protection against UV rays, while also protecting marine ecosystems, especially coral reefs.
Scientists created a gel using pollen from the Camellia sinensis plant, the tea plant, and found that it blocked UV rays as well as many commercial sunscreens — with an SPF of 30 — without causing coral bleaching.
In laboratory tests, corals exposed to pollen sunscreen remained healthy even after two months, while those exposed to traditional chemical sunscreens completely bleached within just two weeks.
This innovation could represent a major step towards sustainable sun care, offering a natural and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical creams known to harm marine life.
The researchers emphasize the need for further testing in animals and humans, but the early results are promising. With millions of tons of sunscreen ending up in the oceans each year, this discovery could pave the way for a new generation of sunscreen that protects both skin and coral reefs.
