Author(s): Olubunmi Olayemi, Christianah Isimi, Kokonne Ekere, Mahmood Abdullahi Gbate and Martins Emeje

Abstract: The deleterious effect of ultra-violet rays from the sun on the skin is alarming and agents or substances that can reduce or combat these effects are well sought for. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of commonly consumed teas in providing sunscreen protection using the in vitro method. Thirty selected teas (green, black and “others”) were brewed and diluted to produce 20% v/v aqueous solution. The absorbances of the solutions were determined by the UV spectrophotometer between wavelengths of 320 and 290 nm. The sunscreen protection factors (SPF) were then calculated using the Mansur equation. The determined SPF values were between 10.33 and 25. 33%. The green teas were observed to have the highest absorbance (2.5) and consequently higher SPF (25.33%) followed by the black teas (24.45%) and then the “others”. Some of the unclassified teas however had values as high as 25.20% while also having very low values (10.33%). Teas have been postulated to have skin protective abilities when consumed orally or applied topically; this work gives further credit to this postulation. The results reveal that these safe and cheap teas have great potential as sun-protective agents.