Researchers of Tsinghua University in Beijing have developed an innovative sunscreen which not only reflects UV rays but also provides cooling effect on skin.
The experts predicted that the product has "promising commercial potential in the sunscreen market", as per the paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nano Letters.
"We prepared a radiative cooling sunscreen that can not only significantly reduce the skin temperature but also protects the skin from being harmed by the UV radiation," the authors added.
The new sunscreen product can reduce the skin temperature by upto 6 degrees Celsius, and provides cooling about 3 degrees Celsius than the current products.
For the product, the research team combined titanium dioxide nanoparticles, a commonly used ingredient in sunscreens to block heat, with water, ethanol, moisturizing cream, pigments, and polydimethylsiloxane, a synthetic polymer.
"We can wear thick clothing to stay warm in freezing temperatures. But in extreme heat higher than 50 degrees Celsius, outdoor workers like transport police, road workers and farmers have to cope with severe conditions that can lead to heat stress, exhaustion or death. They need effective cooling methods and skin protection," said corresponding author Zhang Rufan, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Tsinghua University.
The team further stated that the color of the sunscreen can be adjusted with kaolin pigments to match a wide range of skin tones. Also, the water resistant sunscreen has an SPF of about 50, does not cause skin irritation and is budget-friendly.
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