Ultraviolet (UV) light is the main cause of damaging effects of sunlight on skin, resulting in skin aging, sunburns and wrinkle formation. Drexel researchers have identified spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) as an important mediator of UV light skin damage leading to breakdown of collagen and collagen content loss, and increased risk of skin cancer (Papazoglou et al. (2011) British J. of Derm. 165, pp. 69-77). The studies further showed that inhibiting Syk kinase reduced the effects of Syk activation, suggesting that topical application of Syk inhibitors can be used to protect against and or treat sunlight-induced skin damage. Specifically, Drexel researchers have tested a known Syk inhibitor piceatannol, a small molecule closely related to resveratrol. Piceatannol is a safe compound found in various foods such as grapes and especially in passion fruit. It is manufactured by extraction from fruits and plants, and can be synthesized chemically. Similarly to resveratrol, piceatannol possesses anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a natural ingredient in anti-aging and sun-protecting creams and lotions.