For thousands of years, humans have been trying to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. From ancient Egyptians using extracts from rice and jasmine to modern-day sunscreen lotions, the history of sunscreen is a fascinating one. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of sunscreen.
Ancient Sun Protection
The first known form of sun protection dates back to ancient Egypt. The Egyptians would use extracts from rice and jasmine to protect their skin from the sun. They also used a mixture of myrrh and incense to protect their skin from the harsh desert sun.
In ancient Greece, people would use olive oil to protect their skin from the sun. The oil would be applied to the skin and then wiped off with a cloth.
The Mayans and Aztecs used natural ingredients like rice, corn, and cocoa to create a paste that they would apply to their skin to protect against the sun.
Early Sunscreen Innovations
In the early 1900s, scientists began to understand the relationship between the sun’s rays and skin damage. In 1928, Swiss chemist Franz Greiter invented the first sunscreen, which he called Gletscher Crème. It had a sun protection factor (SPF) of 2 and was made from a mixture of cocoa butter, zinc oxide, and bergamot oil.
In the 1930s, Eugene Schueller, the founder of L’Oreal, created a sunscreen that he called Ambre Solaire. It had an SPF of 4 and was made from a mixture of benzyl salicylate and cinnamate.
However, it wasn’t until the 1940s that sunscreen became widely available. During World War II, soldiers were getting sunburned on the beaches of the South Pacific. To protect them, military researchers developed a sun-blocking substance called red vet pet, or red veterinary petrolatum. This substance was a thick, red gel that provided excellent sun protection.
Modern Sunscreen
In the 1960s, the first commercially available sunscreen was introduced. It was called Coppertone and had an SPF of 2. In the following decades, sunscreen became more and more popular and new formulas were developed. In the 1970s, the first waterproof sunscreen was introduced, and in the 1980s, the first spray-on sunscreen was introduced.
Today, there are many different types of sunscreen available, including lotions, sprays, and gels. They come in a variety of SPF levels and contain a variety of active ingredients. Some of the most common active ingredients in sunscreen include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, and oxybenzone.
The Future of Sunscreen
As our understanding of the sun’s harmful rays continues to evolve, so does sunscreen technology. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the environmental impact of sunscreen. Many traditional sunscreen ingredients, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been found to be harmful to coral reefs and other marine life.
In response to this concern, many companies are developing new, environmentally-friendly sunscreen formulas. Some of these formulas use natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, while others use new, innovative ingredients like iron oxide.
Conclusion
The history of sunscreen is a long and fascinating one. From ancient Egyptians using extracts from rice and jasmine to modern-day sunscreen lotions, humans have been trying to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays for thousands of years. As our understanding of the sun’s rays continues to evolve, so does sunscreen technology. Whether you prefer a traditional lotion or a new, environmentally-friendly formula, sunscreen is an essential tool for protecting your skin from the sun.
