Can lotus leaves work as sun shields? Youth in China turn to nature for DIY summer protection | World News

With temperatures soaring this summer, young people across southern China are turning to an unconventional form of sun protection—giant lotus leaves.
Videos from provinces like Zhejiang, Sichuan, and Fujian show individuals crafting DIY full-face sun masks picking large lotus leaves from near ponds and securing them with helmets, hats, or straps.
The leaves, often twice the size of a human face, are fashioned into protective covers with holes cut out for the eyes and nose. According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), the trend is gaining popularity among youth eager to keep their skin sun-safe, free of cost.
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Looking like a ‘giant mosquito’ isn’t a problem
A young man surnamed Yin from Fujian province told SCMP that he originally planned to wear a cosmetic face mask to prevent tanning, but decided to use a lotus leaf instead after spotting one near his home. “Everywhere except my face has become tanned,” he said, praising the effectiveness of the improvised shield.
The unique appearance of these leafy masks has sparked humorous reactions online.

Due to the long lotus stems still attached to the leaves, many social media users compared the wearers to giant mosquitoes or even Pinocchio. “You must have lied, otherwise how do you explain your long noses?” one person joked. Another wrote, “Since when can mosquitoes ride motorcycles and post videos on social media?”
Not a first for China
While the trend has amused many, some have expressed concerns about safety—especially for those wearing the masks while driving. Others shared their own unconventional sun protection hacks, such as tarpaulins draped over faces or long hair combed forward to create a full-face shield.
This isn’t the first time a sun protection technique in China has gone viral. A few years back, the “facekini”—a fabric mask worn at beaches to shield the face from UV rays—gained international attention. Versions of it featured creative designs ranging from Peking opera motifs to superhero masks.Story continues below this ad
More recently, gadgets like umbrella hats and fan-powered cooling jackets have also become popular.
(With inputs from South China Morning Post)