Nanoparticle sunblock is safer and provides better protection
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029245
Science : Although sunblock is recommended to prevent skin damage from the Sun’s UV radiation, concerns have been raised that its chemicals can leech into the body and damage DNA. Now Mark Saltzman of Yale University and his colleagues have inserted a chemical UV filter into bioadhesive nanoparticles that adhere to protein-rich surfaces, such as skin. The nanoparticle sunblock is water resistant and can stay on for up to five days, but can be wiped off easily with a towel. In mouse models, the product was shown to be as effective as at least one commercial brand even though it contained only 5% of the UV-protective chemicals. The next step is to get it approved for human use.