CHEM2211W24

(Chernaya, 2021) Benefits of Sunscreen Sunscreen allows for individuals to receive their daily dose of Vitamin D whilst protecting our skin from ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light harms the skin as it can change our DNA leading to cancer (Robinson, 2023). Sunscreen when used daily has shown to reduce the risk of certain skin cancer cells by 40 to 50% (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2022). Sunscreen not only can reduce skin cancer but protect our skin from irritations like sunburns. Sunscreen can also help with the overall look of our skin by protecting against wrinkles, sun spots and hyperpigmentation (Robinson, 2023). How does Sunscreen work? There are two main types of sunscreens, chemical and physical. Physical sunscreens, also known as mineral sunscreen, contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These ingredients help to act like a shield to reflect the sun’s rays (Skin Cancer Foundation, 2022). Chemical sunscreen contains ingredients like oxybenzone, and acts like a sponge ...

Photo credit (Abramson, 2022) When you hear the word alcohol, you may only be familiar with the kind that’s found on the shelves of liquor stores. But did you know that there also exists other types of alcohol that are not made for consumption? Well Isopropanol, also known as Isopropyl Alcohol, is one of them! What is Isopropanol and w here does it come from ? Isopropanol is referred to by many names, but it is most commonly known as isopropyl alcohol and rubbing alcohol. Isopropanol is a clear, colourless alcohol that is often used in the production of acetone and is also used  as a solvent when manufacturing industrial and commercial products (Punja, 2014). While  a small percentage of isopropanol can be found in nature through certain microbes, fungi, and yeast, the majority of it comes from manufacturing processes.  Isopropanol can be manufactured in three ways: an indirect hydration technique, a direct hydration technique and a catalytic hydrogenation of acetone. In ...

Does drinking orange juice help when we are sick? Ascorbic acid, also commonly known as Vitamin C, L-ascorbic acid, or ascorbate according to [1] is a “major water-soluble vitamin”, which is not produced by humans, so it needs to be taken through either fruits, green leafy vegetables, or supplements. We then need to be careful about certain factors and the amounts in which we take the chemical in, as taking too much (2000 mg per day) can cause an upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea [2]. Ascorbic acid maintains “a strong immune system” [1, para. 3], which prevents scurvy, a condition that weakens the bones, teeth, skin, and collagen. The chemical can be thought of as a “superhero” or “guard” where it helps “run the body smoothly” and protects it from any possible bacteria and viruses, as it maintains and improves the immune system so that it can “fight off any colds or infections” [1, para. 4]. Not only is ascorbic acid an essential vitamin but it can only be used through skin care produ...

  Imagine this… You and your friends are headed out for girl's night, you’re all getting ready in the bathroom gluing on your strip lashes; little do you and your friends know you are putting one of the leading carcinogens right on your lash line. What is this scary carcinogen? - formaldehyde  Formaldehyde is a common chemical used as a preservative and sanitizer, it can be found in many households across the globe. Scientists and researchers have proven Formaldehyde, commonly known as Methanal, to be a carcinogen. This chemical is highly toxic, an irritant, and generally terrible for human health; not to mention your furry friends as well!  Formaldehyde is great at hiding because it goes by many names, and can also be a byproduct of other chemicals being exposed to oxygen. The most common places to find it are in furniture, glues, wood, clothing, cleaning products, and cosmetics. Despite being a wonderful preservative and disinfectant, I hope you consider reading the in...

Blog Post - Acetone and Why it is Useful Kiera Gower Uses Acetone, a versatile and colourless liquid has a variety of fascinating uses. Acetone is a solvent that can break down many types of substances. Acetone is the magic behind your everyday nail polish remover, dissolving stubborn polish with ease! The uses of acetone extend beyond the beauty world and into the world of manufacturing. Acetone is used when making plastics like water bottles and containers but can also be used in commercial cleaners and degreasers, isnt that crazy? Because of its versatility, acetone is used in a variety of applications in everyday life. As long as you use acetone safely and don't get it in your eyes or ingest it, then it is safe to use.  Origin and Production In terms of how acetone is produced, it can be man-made or occur naturally. Acetone can be released naturally by plants, trees, insects, forest fires and even volcanoes. A fun fact about acetone is that a small amount can be produced in t...

  You may be familiar with ethanol as that ingredient hiding inside the bottle of Tequila in your parent's liquor cabinet. But ethanol is actually a multi-use super product that inhabits everything from the gas in your car to the mouthwash you rinse with every night!

  ( Hydrochloric Acid Images – Browse 1,861 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video , n.d.) Lets embark on a journey of enlightenment in the realm of acids in chemistry, focusing on one of the most famous acids, hydrochloric acid or HCl. Hydrochloric acid is known for being strong, colorless, and highly toxic. The consequences of inhaling, ingesting, or touching the chemical can lead to blindness, skin burns or possibly death! So it's best to approach the chemical with caution(Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 2014). Despite being extremely dangerous it can be found all around us in our households. It can be found in toilet bowl, bathroom tile, and porcelain tile cleaners. It also is surprisingly used in the production of foods such as soda and sweets. The acidity of hydrochloric acid aids in cleaning but also in enhancing flavor in foods(Lab Pro Inc, 2023). There are two main methods to create hydrochloric acid. The first method is a reaction of hydrogen chloride with wat...

Theobromine:  The Secret Ingredient In Chocolate Fatal To Our Companions. Photo credit (Shaw, 2018)  Have you ever gone trick-or-treating when you were younger? Do you still like to entertain your sweet tooth once in a while? Just like you may have answered yes to those questions, my curiosity was piqued when I questioned why chocolate was so alluring for humans, yet might be fatal to our furry friends. I found out that the uncommonly known perpetrator would be a chemical called Theobromine. Read on to dive into the fascinating world of Theobromine! What is Theobromine and Where Does it Come From: Theobromine is the principal alkaloid (naturally occurring organic compound) found in the cacao bean (Drugbank, 2007). Taking a white powder appearance, it is extracted from the husks of cacao beans grown on the cacao tree native to tropics like the Amazon rainforest (“Cacao” instead of “cocoa” refers to the raw material) (IARC, 1991; Hoola, 1885). This chemical is the main factor th...

  [1]      Looking at the picture above, do you feel as if you can smell the picture? Can you imagine how this room would smell like? You may have thought that hospitals have a unique smell that reminds you of where you are, and that the rooms and hallways in them have the same smell. Some people have expressed how they like this smell and how they wish there was a perfume with this scent. While there could be a variety of reasons for it—a sense of cleanness, nostalgia—what would be a way to imitate the smell? Well, it would be helpful to examine what this smell is first.      The smell, typically described as the ‘hospital smell’, is caused by a compound called phenol. The natural odour of phenol, however, is not the same as the hospital smell. Phenol exists with a ‘sickeningly’ sweet odour before any reactions or processes. It is only after when it is mixed with other chemicals to form a disinfectant that it becomes the ‘hospital smell.’   ...

Caffeine Julita Gorczyca Do you drink coffee on a daily basis? Perhaps not, however, what you may not know is that many foods and beverages that we consume everyday contain caffeine. Products like gum, waffles, jelly beans, and chocolate all contain suitable portions of caffeine (Magnus Health, n.d). Many adults might explain the risks of drinking alcohol or smoking cannabis and cigarettes but the risks of caffeine on your health may not be mentioned. Caffeine can cause an increased heart rate, jitteriness and headaches, but it takes less caffeine to produce these same symptoms in teens. Surprisingly, nearly 75% of teens consume caffeine on a daily basis (Magnus Health, n.d). In accordance with this, research has shown that a majority of teenagers and adolescents do not get enough sleep so they are turning to energy drinks and caffeine to feel more awake during the school/work day. Many argue that it is necessary for their sports performance and school performance. The most recent tren...

(Hassan, 2021)  If you haven't heard of it already, salicylic acid is a commonly used ingredient in skincare products, but did you know that it is used for other purposes such as treating headaches? If you've been struggling with your skin and don't know what skincare products you should be using, consider using products with salicylic acid as the main ingredient if you haven't already. It acts as a chemical exfoliant, which means this compound can treat your acne by breaking down the outer layer of your dead skin cells and it suppresses the growth of bacteria. So, not only can it treat pimples, but it can be found in products that treat warts, dandruff, psoriasis, and calluses (National Center for Biotechnology, 2024). If you've already tried products with this ingredient and it doesn't seem to be working for you, look for alternatives such as products with benzoyl peroxide or glycolic acid as they will work similarly with a few different processes.  While it c...