Researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have developed an innovative cooling sunscreen that lowers skin temperature by up to 6 degrees Celsius. This waterproof product offers SPF 51 protection for outdoor workers, even after 12 hours of UV exposure. Utilizing radiative cooling technology and titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the sunscreen reflects UV light and heat. It can also be customized for various skin tones and has shown no irritation in tests. The team emphasized its potential to address challenges posed by extreme heat and climate change.
Researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing have made an exciting breakthrough with the creation of a cooling sunscreen that can reduce skin temperature by as much as 6 degrees Celsius. This innovative product is particularly beneficial for outdoor workers, offering waterproof protection and a sunblock equivalent to SPF 51 even after 12 hours of exposure to intense UV radiation.
In a recent paper published in the esteemed journal *Nano Letters*, the team highlighted the sunscreen's "promising commercial potential in the sunscreen market." They stated, “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.”
Zhang Rufan, an associate professor of chemical engineering and the study's corresponding author, emphasized the need for effective solutions as climate change results in increasingly severe weather conditions. He noted that adapting to extreme heat, often exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), poses significant challenges for outdoor workers such as transport police, road workers, and farmers. “We can wear thick clothing to stay warm in freezing temperatures. But in extreme heat, outdoor workers have to cope with severe conditions that can lead to heat stress, exhaustion, or death. They need effective cooling methods and skin protection,” Zhang explained.
The innovative sunscreen utilizes radiative cooling technology, a method that dissipates heat as thermal radiation into outer space. This concept has previously been applied in products like reflective paints and ceramics. By incorporating titanium dioxide nanoparticles—a common ingredient in existing sunscreens—the team enhanced the formula to reflect both UV light and solar heat.
While traditional sunscreens can help lower skin temperatures, the new formula demonstrates a significantly greater cooling effect. It reduces temperatures by up to 6 degrees Celsius compared to current commercial products. The sunscreen's protective qualities are comparable to those of SPF 51, meaning that skin that would normally burn in 10 minutes would take an impressive 510 minutes to burn when using this new formula.
Additionally, the color of the sunscreen can be tailored using kaolin pigments, allowing it to match a diverse range of skin tones. The researchers also reported that the sunscreen did not cause irritation when tested on mice or human skin, further highlighting its potential for widespread use.
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