There’s a new snake oil sunscreen doing the rounds in the US and making big promises. Osmosis Skincare’s UV Neutraliser Harmonized Water apparently makes the water molecules underneath your skin vibrate, giving you SPF 30 sun protection for three hours. Yep, this is stupid.
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According to Osmosis Skincare founder and “general practitioner” Ben Johnson, the UV Neutraliser Harmonized Water excites the molecules just below your skin, creating frequencies that cancel out UVA and UVB solar radiation. Don’t worry, it has been rigorously tested: “the UV Neutralizer was tested internally on roughly 50 people for extended stays in the sun before we launched it,” says Johnson to TIME.
There are so many things wrong with this. Let’s start with exactly how those vibrating water molecules would prevent the harmful effects of the Sun on your skin, harmonising frequencies or otherwise. And then how drinking water would make the water in a very specific part of your body vibrate, and not your whole body. And then with how water can make itself vibrate in the first place. I could go on.
That’s not to say that it’s impossible to protect yourself from sun by ingesting fluids or food: phytochemicals like those in walnuts, berries and cucumber can increase your skin’s sun tolerance. But the idea of drinking magic water that will keep you safe in the sun is patently ridiculous. Let’s be clear: until proven otherwise, I remain convinced that Osmosis Skincare’s lofty scientific claims are a complete fabrication. But they’re good for a laugh, at least. [TIME]