Honeysuckle extract can be used as natural sunscreen

With the coming of hot summer sunshine in the coming months, scientists report that an extract of honeysuckle can make an efficient natural coating for clothes that can be used to protect people from potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun Their report was published in the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research of the American Chemical Society (ACS) Ren Cheng Tang and Sha Sha sun point out that consumers who are worried about the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging are increasingly relying on clothing to protect themselves from the sun's ultraviolet rays Natural UV protective coatings may have some advantages, including more sustainable production methods and less environmental impact They point out that traditional Chinese medicine has used honeysuckle to treat colds and fever for centuries One ingredient of honeysuckle is used to preserve food and is an additive in cosmetics that make skin look younger In their new study, the scientists hope to find out whether honeysuckle extract can promote the ability of wool fabrics to block ultraviolet rays They found that the wool fabric coated with honeysuckle extract was much more effective in blocking UV than the untreated wool fabric, which provided the plant with higher UV protection factors The extract is durable and remains active on wool fabrics, even after prolonged exposure to sunlight and washing The team concluded that honeysuckle extract showed significant potential as a natural UV blocker for clothing.