Next-generation, nature-inspired sunscreens have a new molecular scaffold

A team of researchers led by professors Wybren Jan Buma at the University of Amsterdam and Vasilios Stavros at the University of Warwick (U.K.) have laid the groundwork for using urocanic acid and its derivatives as a novel class of sunscreen filters. Urocanic acid is a naturally occurring UV-A and UV-B absorbing compound found in the skin.