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Britain's youngest scientist - 24th July 2023

A 15 year old girl from Northern Ireland has been awarded the UK Young Scientist of the Year prize for inventing an eco-friendly sunscreen. Kaycee Deery created her sunscreen using natural oils.

The prize was presented to Deery at the UK Young Scientists and Engineers competition in Birmingham. Deery responded to her award saying, "I'm still in shock. I don't think it has sunk in yet and I don't think it will for a while".

Deery designed her own UVA light box to test the sun protection factor (SPF) of various natural oils. UVA light causes wrinkles, while UVB light burns the skin. Her experiments resulted in multiple natural sunscreens ranging from SPF9 to SPF34. Deery intends to purchase a UVB light to develop her product’s ability to protect against skin cancer.

Inspired by an article about dangerous chemicals in UK waters, Deery's project was concerned with protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems. The chemicals in widely available sunscreens have been found to damage coral reefs and disrupt fish reproduction.

The chemicals include oxybenzone, which disrupts marine reproductive systems. These substances can reduce growth and egg output. Deery described her project's importance saying, "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."

With cases of non-melanoma skin cancers having risen by 77 percent in the US over the past 20 years, store bought sunscreen remains one of the best ways to protect your skin. However, until Deery's eco-friendly sunscreen hits store shelves, there are other options which don't harm sea life. Experts recommend covering your skin with clothing and staying in the shade as much as possible, especially at midday.

Overjoyed at seeing her student succeed, Deery's science teacher, Anna Blanking, wants more girls to break through the glass ceiling.