Oxybenzone is the commonest photoallergen among the ultraviolet filters. It also has environmental effects. It is toxic to adult coral reefs. To avoid photoallergic and environmental effects it is important to replace oxybenzone. What could be the ideal ultraviolet filters alternative to oxybenzone?
Hello Dr. Paul,
Any pigment infused lotion with properties of absorbing or reflecting UV radiation as well to polymerize in presence of air and sunlight.
Example: Hipposudoric and Norhipposudoric acid as unstable red and orange pigments with ability to polymerize and produce cross linked latice bonded structures - Hippopotami are known to secrete such substance.
Or, photoprotective bioactive substances like
Fucoidan, Mycosporine like Amino Acid, Triterpene glycoside etc imbued products or their synthetic versions.
Example- Echinoderms such as holothuroids, like sea cucumbers; echinoids like sea urchins etc.
The answers lie abound in nature.
We simply need to sustainably tap the bounty or synthesize the same.
With regards,
Dr. Abhishek Mukherjee
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