The S T ory of Sun S creen

Before you slap on the spf this summer spare a thought for the story of a genius product. Sunscreen is a product that we use today to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays, such as sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. But did you know that sunscreen has a long and fascinating history? Here is a brief overview of how sunscreen was invented and developed over the centuries.

Ancient Sun Protection

The earliest evidence of sun protection comes from ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Greece, and India, who used natural ingredients to shield their skin from the sun. For example, ancient Egyptians used extracts of rice, jasmine, and lupine plants, which had antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-lightening properties. Ancient Greeks used olive oil, which had moisturizing and soothing effects. Ancient Indians used sandalwood paste, which had cooling and antiseptic effects.

Modern Sunscreen

The first modern sunscreen was invented in the 1930s by different chemists in different countries. In Australia, H.A. Milton Blake formulated a sunscreen with salol, a chemical that absorbed ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, which cause sunburn. In the United States, Benjamin Green created a sunscreen with cocoa butter and red veterinary petroleum, which formed a physical barrier on the skin. In Switzerland, Franz Greiter developed a sunscreen with benzyl salicylate and benzyl cinnamate, which also absorbed UVB rays. He also introduced the term sun protection factor (SPF), which measures how long a sunscreen can protect the skin from UVB rays.

Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

However, UVB rays are not the only type of radiation that can damage the skin. Ultraviolet A (UVA) rays can also penetrate deeper into the skin and cause wrinkles, sagging, and skin cancer.

Therefore, in the 1980s, sunscreen manufacturers started to add ingredients that could block or reflect both UVA and UVB rays, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These sunscreens are called broad-spectrum sunscreens, as they offer more comprehensive protection from the sun.

Future Sunscreen

Today, sunscreen is widely available in various forms, such as lotions, sprays, gels, sticks, and powders. Sunscreen is also regulated by various authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States and the European Commission in Europe, to ensure its safety and efficacy. However, sunscreen is not perfect and still has some limitations and challenges. For example, some sunscreen ingredients may cause allergic reactions or environmental issues. Some people may not apply

Dog walkers encouraged to take the lead at NI Water sites

NI Water is appealing to the public to take care of their dog and take the lead when visiting any of its beauty spots.

NI Water is proud to host visitors to many of these sites. However, visitors are reminded that the policy across all NI Water sites is to keep dogs on leads at all times. This is to ensure the safety of both your pets and local wildlife.

Many sites owned by NI Water, such as areas of the Mourne Mountains and the Garron Plateau, are also used by local farmers to graze livestock.

Rebecca Allen, Catchment Officer explains: “Often the presence of a dog is enough to spook a sheep and cause it to harm itself in an attempt to get to safety. If a dog is found to be worrying sheep, its owners may face a fine of up to

£1000 if found guilty of the offence.

“Dogs can also worry cattle and unknowingly carry bacteria into the area, which affects cattle health. We ask that all visitors to NI Water lands follow the Countryside Code for Northern Ireland and keep dogs on leads at all times and bag and bin all dog waste.

Unfortunately, in the past week there has been a tragic incident of a sheep dying as a result of a dog attack on our land, and this is just sad and unacceptable.

“Our countryside areas also provide important habitat for a diverse range of wildlife including rare breeding birds.

Keeping your dog on a lead keeps our wildlife safe and your dog safe and happy too.”

NI Water thanks all our visitors who keep their dogs on leads when enjoying the countryside. Check with Dog Friendly NI for a list of dog parks suitable for off lead exercise. enough sunscreen or reapply it frequently enough. Some people may also neglect other forms of sun protection, such as clothing, hats, sunglasses, and shade. Therefore, researchers are constantly looking for new ways to improve sunscreen and make it more user-friendly and ecofriendly. For example, some researchers are exploring nanotechnology to create smaller and more effective sunscreen particles.

Some researchers are also investigating natural sources of sun protection, such as algae or coral. Some researchers are even trying to create edible or drinkable sunscreens that can protect the skin from within.

Sunscreen is a product that has evolved over time to meet the needs and demands of people who want to enjoy the sun without harming their skin and its use has saved many lives and prevented many diseases. Sunscreen is a product that we should appreciate and use wisely and well!