Skincare ingredients company Seaspire, co-founded by Camille Martin and Leila Deravi, is aiming to use pigments and compounds found in octopuses and squids to create an environment-friendly sunscreen.
Seaspire developed Xanthochrome, a synthesized version of the squid pigment xanthommatin, with antioxidant, skin restorative, and sun protection properties, enhancing zinc oxide's UV protection and blocking visible light without harming coral.
Xanthommatin was used in the past by researchers to create a wearable device that changes its color from yellow to red when exposed to natural light and UV radiation.
Traditional chemical UV filters in sunscreens can be harmful to the environment and cause systemic toxicities.
Seaspire aims to position Xanthochrome as a next-generation, multifunctional ingredient for sunscreens and anti-aging products and is seeking partnerships to bring it to market.
Researchers developed a wearable device inspired by squid's color-changing abilities, using paper treated with xanthommatin, which reacts to natural light and UV radiation, changing from yellow/orange to red.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: phys.org, northeastern.edu.