When it comes to sun protection, misconceptions persist. What is really the effectiveness of food supplements in this area? Experts sort the true from the false.
Every year, as the sun begins to warm our skin again, questions about the best way to enjoy it while protecting ourselves from it resurface. The star of the conversation is of course sunscreen. If we no longer question the absolute necessity of wearing it, we know better how to optimize its use. Namely, wear it even if there are clouds, even in the city, even if you have dark or black skin, and above all, reapply it every two hours. But there are now other products on the market, such as food supplements, which claim to protect us from the harmful effects of UV rays. What is it really ?
Preparing is not protecting
Well that’s not true. “Just like certain foods containing tyrosine, beta-carotene or cysteine, they help prepare the skin for exposure to the sun beforehand, but they do not protect it from UV rays,” corrects Dr. Sylvie Peres. “It’s an urban legend! Generally, sun food supplements contain natural pigments found in vegetables and fruits, which will give a slightly orange healthy glow… but it is not a synthesis of melanin, adds the dermatologist. Dermato Drey, author of the book Make peace with your skin: pimples, acne, scars… all the good solutions (ed. Larousse).
In dermatology, we recommend solar food supplements only in cases of lighthead. Indeed, they often contain antioxidants, molecules capable of capturing free radicals which can be beneficial for people allergic to the sun.
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