Move over, aloe vera: Pear seed extract could someday be a new sunburn treatment.
According to a new study from Taiwan, pears’ polyphenols and antioxidant capacity—specifically pear seed extract—can reduce damage caused by UVA rays and oxidative stress. UVA rays are the part of sunlight that causes long-term skin damage like wrinkles.
The researchers obtained pear seeds from ripe pears and then dried them. The seeds were then ground into fine powder and mixed with deionized water. The mixture was filtered to create a liquid extract, which separated from a solid residue. The liquid extract was then freeze-dried for increased stability. Mice exposed to different UV rays, including UVA, UVB, and UVC, were then fed the mixture.
The research team found that the pear seed extract had a protective effect against damage caused by UVA light exposure.
“It is a natural extract with antioxidant properties and anti-aging activity that protects skin cells and strengthens the skin barrier,” the team wrote. “Therefore, it is deduced that further research on pear seed extract may be used to prevent skin-related diseases.”
The Difference Between UVA, UVB, and UVC Rays
UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation that comes from the sun, but it can also come from manmade sources, such as tanning beds or welding torches. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays can damage the skin.UVA rays have the least amount of energy of UV rays. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), UVA rays can cause skin cells to age and indirectly damage their DNA. UVA rays are typically linked to long-term skin damage, like wrinkles, but many researchers believe they also play a role in skin cancer.
UVB rays pack more energy than UVA rays. They directly damage skin cell DNA and are the main ray behind sunburn. UVB rays are thought to be responsible for causing most skin cancers.
UVC rays have the most energy among the three types. Because of their high energy, they interact with the Earth’s ozone and don’t reach the ground, so they don’t pose as high of a risk. UVC rays can also come from manmade sources, including arc welding torches, mercury lamps, and UV sanitizing bulbs used to kill bacteria and other germs.
According to the study, excessive exposure to the sun’s UV rays can lead to premature skin aging, melanin spots, wrinkles, thinning, poor skin elasticity, dilation of blood vessels, and skin cancer. Also, prolonged exposure can inhibit the skin’s immune system, worsening skin diseases.
- Recreating in the sun
- Spending a lot of time in a swimsuit
- Living in an area with heavy sun exposure
- Having a history of bad sunburns
- Having signs of sun damage, including liver spots, rough skin patches, or thickened, dry, wrinkled skin on the neck
