Reel Of Chinese Women Wearing Lotus Leaves As 'Sunscreen' Goes Viral. Experts Reveal If It Works
People in China take skincare seriously, and sometimes they even turn to bizarre trends to keep their skin protected. The latest trend from Sichuan, China of using lotus leaves as 'sunscreen' has captured the Internet. This quirky trend spread like wildfire when a reel of two bikers shielding themselves from the sun using large lotus leaves to cover their face -- just enough to be able to see and breathe -- went viral on social media.
While it may seem humorous, the concept is actually rooted in practicality. But the question arises - do lotus leaves really work as sun protection for your skin? NDTV reached out to experts to know if there's any truth to the trend.
Lotus Leaves For Sunscreen: Does It Really Work?
Yes, lotus leaves have cooling properties - a quality that would make them an ideal shield against UV rays, but experts say it may not be the best idea. Some studies, including the one published in the Research Journal of Tropical and Cosmetic Sciences, found that lotus is a widely used herb in cosmetics and has been reported to possess properties that can help fight signs of ageing and acne as well as soothe the skin.
Mumbai-based Dermatologist Dr Shareefa Chause tells NDTV, "The trend of replacing sunscreen with lotus leaves is slowly gaining traction but this is not advisable. Currently, there is no evidence available that lotus leaves can be a good substitute for sunscreen. These leaves won't be able to protect the skin from the UV rays like proper sunscreens do."
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by China Insider (@chinainsider)
Stick To Sunscreens To Protect Your Skin From The Harmful UV Rays
Sunscreen is designed to protect your skin from the damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, and experts suggest that this is your best bet to keep your skin protected.
Dr Kashish Kalra, Head of the Department and Consultant of Dermatology at Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi, shares, "Lotus leaves working as a sunscreen is a pretty useless thing. If you want to use something to cover your face and protect you from the harmful rays of the sun, you can use a thick cloth that you can wear like a mask, and hide your face. However, even that cannot replace a sunscreen and its benefits."
Sunscreens are specifically formulated with ingredients that are tested for their ability to block or absorb UV radiation. "Lotus leaves may have some natural antioxidants, but they are not strong enough to act as a shield against sun damage. Relying on them could lead to sunburn, tanning, early ageing, and even increase the risk of skin cancer as these all are caused by harmful UV rays."
Side Effects You Should Know
In a wide pool of skincare products, it can be confusing to pick one that suits your skin but that doesn't mean that you should blindly follow the trends. As for using lotus leaves as sunscreen, Dr Chause highlights the plausible side effects of using them.
"Using lotus leaves as a sunscreen could lead to sunburn, tanning, early ageing, or even increase the risk of skin cancer as these are caused by harmful UV rays. They may even irritate the skin and induce allergies that may lead to rashes, itching, burning sensation, or redness. Using these leaves as a substitute for sunscreen is a strict no-no. Just because it's natural doesn't mean that it will be effective."
While the viral trend has taken the Internet by storm, it is vital to know that you shouldn't follow it without knowing about its benefits as well as side effects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
3 hours ago
- United News of India
Spain's Bonmati discharged from hospital following viral meningitis diagnosis
Madrid, June 29 (UNI) Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati has been discharged from hospital after she was diagnosed with viral meningitis, just days before the 2025 UEFA Women's European Championship starts in Switzerland. The 27-year-old did not train on Thursday ahead of Spain's friendly against Japan on Friday in Leganes, Spain, which they won 3-1. She shared a picture on Instagram of herself watching the match from a hospital bed in Madrid, where she was taken with doctors from the Spanish Football Federation, who later confirmed the diagnosis. The Spanish Women's Football Federation confirmed today, June 29, 2025, that she has left hospital and will rejoin the Spain squad in the coming days. The Spanish star also posted on Instagram, "Fortunately, everything is going well. I hope to be back soon." Bonmati has won the Ballon d'Or for the past two years and was also the recipient of of the Fifa women's player of the year award in 2023 and 2024. She has scored 30 goals in 78 games for Spain and was a key player in the side when they won the 2023 World Cup and the Nations League in 2024. EURO 2025 starts on Wednesday, with Spain playing Portugal in their opening Group B game in Bern on Thursday. UNI RKM
Economic Times
6 hours ago
- Economic Times
Forget weight-loss jabs: These nutritionist-approved foods can naturally cut fat without side effects
iStock Dubai-based dietitian suggests that everyday foods like avocados, oats, eggs, and chia seeds can mimic the effects of popular weight-loss injections—without the side effects. These natural options support digestion, suppress cravings, and help regulate blood sugar. (Image: iStock) In an era where weight-loss injections are making headlines for their dramatic results, one nutrition expert argues you might not need a prescription to slim down—just a better grocery list. Maria AbiHanna, a Dubai-based dietitian and certified eating disorder practitioner, recently told The Daily Mail that several simple food groups can naturally mimic the effects of popular weight-loss medications that stimulate the GLP-1 hormone. These jabs—originally designed for diabetes and now used widely for weight loss—work by slowing digestion and promoting satiety. But they also come with a host of unpleasant side effects, from nausea and diarrhoea to long-term dependency concerns. AbiHanna's point? Your fridge can do what the pharmacy does—without the backlash. At the top of her list are healthy fats like avocados, nut butters, and oily fish such as mackerel. These aren't just calorie-rich snacks—they help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like D and E, promote heart health, and most importantly, curb cravings. While fats were once the villains of weight loss, science now champions them as satiety superstars. Protein is another powerful player. Eggs, Greek yogurt, and edamame beans pack in protein that doesn't just fuel your muscles—it also 'turns off cravings before they even start,' AbiHanna explained. A single serving of Greek yogurt offers up to 20 grams of protein, helping you stay full for hours without snacking. Then there's fibre—the often-overlooked hero of gut health and sustained fullness. Foods like oats, lentils, and chia seeds not only slow digestion but also help keep blood sugar steady. Chia seeds, for example, expand in your stomach, literally creating a sense of fullness. Lentils and oats, with their mix of fibre and resistant starch, offer long-lasting satisfaction without a calorie spike. Despite these benefits, most people fall short. According to the British Dietetic Association, the average Brit consumes only 18g of fibre daily—well below the recommended 30g. Yet a 2023 study in Science confirmed that those on fibre-rich diets lost significantly more weight than others, even when calorie intake was roughly the same. Leafy greens and high-volume, low-calorie veggies like cucumber and broccoli play a clever trick on the body: they stretch the stomach without loading it with calories. 'To feel fuller on fewer calories,' AbiHanna advised, 'add greens to every meal.' And when it comes to carbohydrates—often blamed for weight gain—it's the type that counts. Slow-burning carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa release energy gradually, preventing the spikes and crashes that lead to cravings. 'Think long-term fuel, not fast-burning fire,' she said. 'If it stabilises your blood sugar, it stabilises your hunger.' Even snack time can be strategic. Green tea and matcha can suppress hunger pangs naturally, and simple combinations like apple slices provide the ideal balance of fibre and fat to keep you satisfied without reaching for sugary alternatives. AbiHanna sums it up best: 'This isn't about dieting or willpower—it's about working with your biology, not against it.' Weight-loss drugs have skyrocketed in popularity, some users report losing up to 20% of their body weight in mere months. But the side effects—and the dependency risks—are leading many to seek sustainable, food-based alternatives. While medications have their place in combating obesity, this fresh perspective reminds us that sometimes the simplest solutions lie not in a syringe, but in a salad bowl.
Mint
6 hours ago
- Mint
Video of ‘cleanest indian street food' goes viral; social media still not convinced
A video about 'the cleanest indian street food' has gone viral, gaining nearly 5 million views. The X (formerly Twitter) post shows a street food vendor preparing a rose-syrup drink. The platform is unusually clean. The organised setup contrasts with typical perceptions of Indian street food hygiene. The vendor was seen using a clean workspace and minimal direct hand contact with the food. Social media users are not convinced. '"Cleanest" ....video starts with an indian dude's hand IN THE GLASS?' wondered one user. 'The refusal to wear gloves, at a minimum, is impressive,' came a sarcastic reply. Another commented, 'Is there such a thing as clean indian street food?' 'Foreigners are coming to India and eating from the most unhygienic and rotten places where even locals don't eat,' wrote another. One user asked FSSAI to 'stop all such nonsense wherever ingestible food is concerned'. 'World has shamed us enough to reverse the perception and make Indian street food (& restaurants) the most hygienic in world!' the user added. When one user claimed that the video was from Pakistan, many users claimed that it was in Kochi, Kerala. The original video is from Street Food Journey on Instagram. The original video gained nearly 28 million views. It confirmed that the business name is Kuluki. In 2014, The Guardian cited the Public Health Association to claim that only 53% of Indians wash their hands with soap after using the toilet, 38% before eating, and 30% before cooking. Harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, found in human and animal waste, spread easily through dirty hands, unwashed food, flies, cash or water. They can cause serious illnesses like diarrhoea, typhoid and food poisoning. The video's virality and the reactions it garners reflect a broader cultural and health discourse, where initiatives to improve street food safety standards are underway, yet the general perception remains sceptical due to historical and ongoing hygiene issues, as discussed in various online forums and media outlets. In February 2024, Medical Channel Asia pointed out serious health risks behind the tasty treats on Indian streets. Poor hygiene, dirty water and unsafe cooking can spread dangerous germs like E. coli and cholera, it said. Such germs can cause stomach infections, dehydration and even death. It is suggested to choose stalls with many customers as their food is likely fresher. It also advised tourists to pick vendors who keep their cooking area and utensils clean and go for cooked food instead of raw to avoid germs.
