When was Sunscreen Invented?

Sunscreen is your best defense against the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. Yet, the idea that UV rays might be harmful took hold in the latter part of the 20th century. Before experimental studies, government-supported health-related research into the pathological effects of UV rays, and epidemiological data correlating skin cancer and UV overexposure, the world already had its first sunscreen in 1938.

Who Invented Sunscreen?

Swiss chemistry student Franz Greiter is credited with the first sunscreen invention. The idea came after a mountaineering trip in 1928 left him sunburned. He mixed zinc oxide and petrolatum, and the first modern sunscreen was born. Greiter also developed sun protection factor (SPF), a measuring tool indicating how long a sunscreen will protect you. His sunscreen was SPF2.

In 1944, pharmacist Benjamin Green, who had served as an airman during World War II, devised a way to protect his comrades against the harsh sun. His sunscreen was essentially a red petroleum product called Red Pet Vet used by veterinarians. The resulting sunscreen was heavy and quite unpleasant, but welcomed nevertheless by airmen seeking sun protection.

In 1946, Greiter came up with a new version of his product, creating a lotion that he named Piz Buin for the mountain he was climbing when the idea for sunscreen struck. Meanwhile, Benjamin created a more consumer-friendly version of his product by adding coconut oil and cocoa butter, which eventually became the Coppertone suntan lotion.

Sun Protection Methods in Ancient Times

Ancient civilizations understood that sunlight provided warmth, visibility, and vitality. They also had tools and methods to protect their skin from the sun. For example, ancient Egyptians used a mixture of rice bran, jasmine flowers, and lupine seeds as a sunscreen. Ancient Greeks applied olive oil on their skin, which moisturized it and also provided some sun protection.

In some societies, wealthy individuals spent much of their time indoors during peak sun hours to avoid excessive sun exposure. The palaces and temples of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia were designed to provide shade and cooling areas. Other means of sun protection among ancient cultures included turbans, wide-brimmed hats, scarves, and umbrellas and parasols made from materials like bamboo and silk.

The First Sunscreen Invented

When was SPF sunscreen invented? While Greiter's sunscreen, called Gletscher Crème, was the first modern sunscreen, L'Oreal founder Eugene Schueller developed the first commercial sunscreen, Ambre Solaire, in 1936. The product was launched on the French Riviera, its brown indented bottle featuring tanned bodies of women. Ambre Solaire promoted the idea that a tanned body was a healthy body, and its association with the Riviera positioned sunscreen as part of an affluent and luxurious lifestyle. In 1970, Piz Buin introduced sunscreens with UVA and UVB filters. Piz Buin, Ambre Solaire, and Coppertone brands encouraged tanning without a burn. In the 70s, Piz Buin introduced sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection. From the seventies onwards, the concept of sun protection took shape with the increasing emergence of research linking skin cancer with UV rays.

Modern Formulas for Sunscreen

Modern sunscreen formulas have advanced significantly over the years, providing more protection against the sun's UV rays. Many sunscreens are 'broad-spectrum' or "full-spectrum" products offering both UVA and UVB rays sun protection.

Sunscreens can be physical blockers containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that offer a protective barrier on the skin, scattering both UVA and UVB rays. They may include chemical filters, which absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat.

Sunscreens today often come in water-resistant formulas, which means they provide protection even when exposed to sweat or water. There is also a trend towards 'natural' and 'clean' sunscreens that use organic ingredients to reduce their impact on the environment. Sunscreen makers have adopted a strategy to incorporate antioxidants in formulations to prevent or minimize UV-induced oxidative damage and provide additional protection against skin photoaging.