‘Edible sunscreen’ can help protect you, but it’s no substitute for regular sunscreen

Over-the-counter oral supplements that some are calling “edible sunscreen” do have some evidence of skin protection. The part not to miss, though, is that these supplements should be used in addition to, never in place of, traditional sunscreen in order to protect your skin from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays.

What are oral sunscreens or edible sunscreens?

Edible sunscreens are oral supplements that are over-the-counter but not necessarily FDA-approved. An example is polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE), the extract of the Polypodium leucotomos tropical fern found in Central America and South America. PLE has antioxidant properties that can help protect your skin cells from sun-induced UV damage.

A more deeply scientific answer is that PLE has antioxidant properties that help decrease the formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species, reducing oxidative stress on skin cells that occur from UV-induced DNA damage. It can also decrease your body’s inflammatory response to excess UV exposure and help reduce UVB immunosuppression, too — yes, UV radiation can affect the way your immune system functions and your skin’s ability to repair itself!

Edible sunscreens perform different functions than regular sunscreen

Traditional sunscreens can help protect your skin from sun exposure by preventing your skin from absorbing UV rays in the first place. PLE can potentially help protect you at the cellular level if there is absorption of UV rays into your skin cells, but these supplements won’t keep you from getting a sunburn.

How to use edible sunscreen

Ask your doctor before adding any supplements to your medication regimen.

A typical dose of PLE is 240 mg twice a day. You have to take them consistently to get the full protective benefit, and be sure to take them before you head outdoors. Nicotinamide, or vitamin B3, which also has been found to possibly decrease non-melanoma skin cancers, is typically dosed at 500 mg twice a day.

Again, these supplements aren’t replacements for traditional sunscreen but can give extra protection from skin cancer.

Other sun protection measures to use

Apply sunscreen daily, whether it’s sunny or cloudy, regardless of weather or temperature. You can use a chemical or mineral sunscreen, but you should…

• Apply to your skin 15-20 minutes before going outside. Apply generously, and don’t forget your ears, the top of your scalp, the back of the neck and the tops of your feet.
• Reapply every two to three hours.
• Ensure SPF products are water-resistant.
• Apply more often if you’re sweating or in the water.

Sunscreen should have broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays with a SPF of 30 or greater (50 or greater if you’ll be in the sun longer or during high-UV times).

Clothing can provide additional ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) coverage. Long sleeves, long pants, rash guard swimsuits and wide-brimmed hats are helpful along with high-quality sunglasses to protect your eyes.

You should seek shade when you can because there is a clear correlation between the number of sunburns, particularly blistering childhood sunburns, and skin cancer.

And finally…

Don’t eat or drink your actual sunscreen — that won’t be effective in any way and would taste terrible. Traditional sunscreens need to be applied directly on your skin. These “edible sunscreen” supplements are exactly that — they supplement your usual sun protection measures.