Teen scientist - 24th July 2023

15 year old Kaycee Deery from Northern Ireland was revealed as the new recipient of the UK Young Scientist of the Year award, thanks to her groundbreaking invention of an eco-friendly sunscreen. Deery's innovation exploits the properties of natural oils which not only provide effective sun protection but also pose no harm to the environment.

Commenting on her award following the ceremony in Birmingham, the budding inventor declared: "I'm still in shock. I don't think it has sunk in yet and I don't think it will for awhile,"

Designing her own UVA light box, Deery identified the sun protection factor (SPF) of a myriad of natural oils. She's succeeded in creating an array of sunscreens spanning from SPF9 to SPF34, which shields users from up to 97 percent of harmful UVA rays. Deery's now set on acquiring a UVB light to further refine her product by including effective UVB protection to reduce sunburn and skin cancer.

Motivated by a news article that exposed the hazardous chemicals escaping into the UK water system, Deery's project is underpinned by her desire to safeguard fragile marine ecosystems. Conventional sunscreens laden with such chemicals have been adding to the severe damage of coral reefs and interrupting fish reproductive cycles.

Among these problematic chemicals is oxybenzone, known to disrupt marine ecosystems by reducing egg output and developmental growth and even causing fish to change sex. Deery emphasised the significance of ecologically focused endeavours, stating: "We needed to find a more eco-friendly solution because the store-bought kind are harming the marine life and the coral reefs, which just isn't fair."

Non-melanoma skin cancer cases in the US have surged 77 percent in the past two decades, heightening the necessity for effective sun protection. Until Deery's groundbreaking creation comes to market, experts advise certain alternatives to sunscreen can be protective measures. These include donning sun-protective clothing, remaining in shaded areas, particularly at midday, and applying biodegradable sunscreens sometimes mandated in wildlife reserves.

Deery's achievement's delighted her science teacher, Anna Blanking, who commented, "I don't think there should be a ceiling for the girls - aim high, you can do it, just look for solutions."