Edible Sun Care

CONSUMERS already have a myriad of options to choose from when selecting a sunscreen. With increasing global warming and more consumers aware of the effects of too much sun exposure, the prospects for market growth are positive. The forecast for the Global Sun Care Product market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% over the period 2013-2018, according to research and advisory company TechNavio.

Now, several additional sun protection tools, such ultraviolet (UV) monitoring bracelets, have become available and, yes, sunscreen pills and drinkable sunscreen. But how effective are edible sun care and emerging sun protection products?

Edible sun care products may contain antioxidants, such as green tea extracts and vitamins C and E, which have been shown to offer protective effect from sun damage. Studies have been done on green tea extracts applied to the skin, while vitamin C and E have been studied when taken orally.

More studies have been done on the oral ingestion of Polypodium leucotomos, an extract of a Central American fern plant. Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) is being marketed under brands such as Heliocare?, Fernblock? and Sun Smart?.

Still another supplement, BioAstin?, has astaxanthin as a primary antioxidant. Originally sold as a nutritional supplement, it is now also being marketed as an “anti-sunburn pill”

Easy as popping a pill?

In Asia, where porcelain-toned skin is widely preferred, a supplement that would prevent sun damage might be popular. But can sunscreen pills be used in place of topical sunscreens?

Dermatologist Henry W. Lim, MD, FAAD, C.S. notes that sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer and one shouldn’t rely on oral methods to reduce skin damage.

“While taking a pill sounds like a more convenient way to protect the skin, seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 are still the most reliable methods of sun protection,” explained Dr. Lim, who is the chairman of  the Department of Dermatology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Of the ingredients found in sunscreen pills, Dr. Lim said the strongest research is linked to PLE.  Studies have shown the fern extract increases the amount of time it takes for skin to burn when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.

“We’re not completely sure how sunscreen pills work, but the main understanding is that Polypodium leucotomos acts as an antioxidant, so it protects the skin from oxidative damage caused by sun exposure,” said Dr. Lim, who is also a consultant to Ferndale, which markets sunscreen pill.

Sunscreen pills cannot be given a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating because the product is not applied to the skin, but Dr. Lim said the level of protection provided by a fern extract pill would be the equivalent to an SPF of 3 to 5 – which is significantly less than the globally accepted sun protection level of an SPF of 30 or higher.

While there are claims that PLE provides uniform, cellular total-body surface skin protection, including the eyes, lips and the scalp, the studies have been too small. European studies have shown that the fern leaf extract can reduce sun sensitivity in people with polymorphous light eruption, a condition that causes an itchy rash when skin is exposed to the sun, Dr. Lim also said.

A dose of truth

Neither is there definitive proof that a person’s diet can improve sun protection, even with raising one’s intake of antioxidants. While vitamins C and E have also shown an ability to protect the skin from sun damage, he explained, “Only extremely high doses have been shown to provide some level of protection, but these doses are significantly higher than what is recommended in a vitamin supplement, and the safety of long term consumption of high doses of vitamin C and E is not known.”

“If someone wants to take a sunscreen pill, they should continue protecting their skin by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen,” said Dr. Lim. “While there have been promising results, more research needs to be done to know the optimal way of using these pills and their long-term safety.”

The bottom line? Topical sunscreens will remain on the shelves. And they will remain there for as long as research advances to the level that oral sun protection solutions can provide comparable effects.