Repelling the Rays: The Chemistry of Sunscreen - Bytesize Science

The first day of summer is June 20th! To celebrate, we're kicking off a trio of summer-themed episodes with a video that explains the chemistry of sunscreen.
Whether you have dark or light skin, the truth is that sun exposure can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Fortunately, using sunscreen properly can help protect your skin all summer long.

[@mypretendaccountforj]

Thanks for the concise and entertaining short! Was a little surprised that more of the chemistry aspects of sunscreen weren't covered given how in-depth others in the series are. My students were always so focused on the chemistry of bad breath and acne videos, but I think this video didn't quite have the impact those did. There is all sorts of fascinating nano-tech issues with some of the new sunscreens...
Still, great work and VERY much appreciated!!! Thanks so much!

[@beinganangeltreon]

a completely new kind of sunscreen that lasts more than a month could be based on a thing like transparent Henna. A chemical at henna does a Michael reaction with the keratin protein of skin and links a colored molecule to it durably, not washing off. There are molecules that do the Michael reaction that are transparent. Linking that michael reaction group to a UV absorber then makes a sunscreen that lasts longer than a month. This could be a completely new anti-photoaging product as a new revenue product. Notably, the UV absorbers in commercial sunscreens last only a few hours, but, fortunately, the UV absorbers in printing inks lasts months. Those chemicls could be tested to find out which are body harmless, and be a part of the michael reaction sunscreen that lasts longer than a month. This is a complimentary public domain idea and can be commercially developed without further contact 7/29/23 Treon Verdery, North Bend, Oregon

[@shogoonn]

You've got the substances wrong, it's the Avobenzone which absorbs UV-A. It also absorbs some UV-B, but that causes the molecule to break down into derivatives of benzoic acid and acetophenone. And that's where the UV-B filter comes in. Not only it absorbs UV-B to protect the skin, but also to protect the UV-A filter. That's also why you can get UV-B-only filter, but not a UV-A-only, unless it's a scattering (a.k.a. physical) filter like TiO2, which would not degrade upon UV exposure.

[@MARKSIBLEYMD]

thank you for the clarification..You are correct, but, I did not find that Avobenzone which blocks UVA (1) has any UVB blocking coverage... Mark Sibley,M.D.

[@MARKSIBLEYMD]

this is a nice ''primer'' on sunscreens and the way they work and the ingredients and the difference...The listing at 1:56 was incorrect.The 2 items were switched as to which blocked UVA(1) =Avobenzone...and which blocked UVB =Octinoxate (which, by the way, harms the oceans, especially coral reef death)...And finally, Zinc Oxide is the better and safer UVA(1+2) blocker, compared to Titanium Dioxide which only blocks UVA(2) and also has been found to harm the coral reefs... Mark Sibley,M.D.

[@Lulu-kt6gr]

Does homosalate, Octycrylene and octisalate go together with Uvinal A and Tinosorb M? I ask because I put a tinted spf over a Korean PA+++ and I don’t want to affect the effectiveness.
I ask because I use the Korean sunscreen Beauty of Joseon and then I put IT cosmetics cc cream, SPF 40 over the top.

[@veraphine]

TROLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!1

[@guccipuppi]

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