Every year, new sunscreen innovations promise better sun protection, but a recent scientific breakthrough could truly change how we think about SPF. Researchers in Singapore have developed a pollen-based sunscreen that protects the skin from harmful UV radiation while reducing environmental impact. Made from flower pollen, this emerging sun protection technology raises an intriguing question. Can something as natural and beautiful as a flower really provide sun protection?
What Is Pollen-Based Sunscreen
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have created a sunscreen gel using pollen from camellia flowers. This might sound unusual, but pollen naturally shields plant DNA from UV damage, and that property can work for human sun protection, too.
In laboratory tests, the camellia pollen gel achieved an SPF of about 30, which means it blocked roughly 97 percent of ultraviolet rays that contribute to skin damage and increased skin cancer risk. This level of protection is similar to many commercial sunscreens on the market today.
A New Kind of Protection
This pollen-based sunscreen did more than just block UV rays. When tested on skin, it helped keep skin cooler in sunlight compared with traditional sunscreens. In one study, skin treated with the pollen gel stayed noticeably cooler under the sun than skin treated with a conventional sunscreen.
The pollen sunscreen also stood out in environmental testing. Standard sunscreens often contain chemical and mineral UV filters like oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide. The former has been linked to coral bleaching and other marine harm when they wash into oceans. The pollen-based gel, by contrast, did not initially cause coral damage in long-term lab exposure.
What This Means for the Future of SPF
We care about effective, FDA-approved SPF at Low Ultraviolet, but we also care about sunscreen innovation and how research can continue to move the needle forward. It is important to understand that this pollen sunscreen is not yet commercially available. The researchers still need to complete extensive safety testing, including human trials and broader environmental assessments. If a pollen-based SPF ever hits the market, it won't be for several years.
Final Thoughts
This pollen-based SPF research shows that sunscreen innovation is not just about initial performance under the sun but also overall efficacy and extensive testing. While we recommend only FDA-approved sun protection, we're excited to see what the future may bring for sun safety options. Learn more about how the FDA regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug.
In the meantime, we will be watching this space closely as more data becomes available and developers determine if this science can one day be a product we see on shelves.