UCLA研究人员重新设计了氧化锌颗粒的结构，将其制成四臂四面体形状，开发出一款能够提供SPF 30防护效果的矿物防晒产品，同时大幅减少了传统配方中常见的白色痕迹问题[1]。这种创新设计使防晒霜在皮肤上呈现出更加温和的色调，能够更好地适配各种肤色，有望鼓励更多人群坚持使用防晒产品[1]。
该研究由UCLA健康乔德森综合癌症中心的科研团队完成，采用专利高温火焰工艺生成四面体形状的颗粒[1]。新型颗粒能够保持均匀分布而不发生聚集[1]。相关成果已于2025年发表在《ACS材料通讯》第8卷第4期上[1]。研究第一作者阿杰·阿代表示："最好的防晒霜是人们愿意实际使用的那一款"[1]。资深作者保罗·韦斯则指出："如果改善防晒霜的外观能够促进人们更持续地使用它，这对皮肤癌预防可能产生真实的影响。"[1]
深色肤色人群被诊断为晚期皮肤癌的概率更高[1]。氧化锌已被美国食品药品监督管理局认定为安全有效的成分[1]。该研究获得了美国国家科学基金会、UCLA挑战计划和Sigma Xi IFoRE助研基金的资助[1]。
Researchers at UCLA have redesigned zinc oxide particles into four-armed tetrapod structures to create a mineral sunscreen that maintains SPF 30 protection while significantly reducing the chalky white appearance characteristic of traditional formulas [1]. The tetrapod-shaped particles remain evenly distributed without clumping and produce a warmer tone that better matches diverse skin tones, potentially encouraging more consistent sunscreen use across different populations [1].
The new tetrapod particles were created through a patented high-temperature flame process and have been evaluated in a study published in ACS Materials Letters in 2025, volume 8, issue 4 [1]. According to Paul S. Weiss, the senior author, "If improving how sunscreen looks leads to more consistent use, it could have real implications for skin cancer prevention" [1]. First author AJ Addae emphasized that "The best sunscreen is the one people will actually use" [1], noting that people with darker skin tones are more likely to receive skin cancer diagnoses at later stages [1].
The FDA has classified zinc oxide as safe and effective, making it a suitable component for this formulation [1]. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, UCLA Challenge Initiative, and Sigma Xi IFoRE Grant-in-Aid [1].