In today's fast-paced world, people are constantly exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. The importance of protecting your skin from these rays cannot be overstated. UV radiation can cause a variety of skin issues, including sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. Traditional recommendations for UV protection have commonly involved limiting exposure, routinely applying sunscreen, and opting to wear clothing that provides a protective barrier. However, recent animal studies and burgeoning clinical evidence suggest that certain dietary supplement ingredients may notably enhance the skin's resilience against UV damage and sunburn, or expedite the recovery process post UV exposure. Here at Alfa Chemistry, we have listed some of the dietary supplement ingredients that offer UV protection.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a family of compounds consisting of more than 600 fat-soluble plant pigments. They are mainly derived from fruits and vegetables and have a wide range of biological properties. They can be involved in protecting the skin from UV damage in multiple ways, including increasing optical density and bursting single-linear oxygen species[1]. Typical carotenoids that provide UV protection include:
Lycopene is a common carotenoid found mainly in red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and can be obtained from tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, carrots and guava. Some studies have shown that it is possible to resist UV damage and avoid erythema from UV exposure by consuming lycopene-rich foods on a regular basis. Lycopene also quenches free radicals in epidermal cells and has a significant fading effect on age discoloration.
Astaxanthin is a ketocarotenoid that is widely found in living organisms, especially in aquatic animals such as shrimp, crabs, and fish. It has multiple functions including photoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A study[2] evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation with astaxanthin on UV-induced skin deterioration, suggesting that it has the potential to protect the skin from UV-induced damage and help maintain healthy skin.
β-carotene is widely found in fruits and vegetables, including carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, spinach and lettuce. According to the evidence provided by most studies, supplementing with β-carotene or consuming a diet rich in it may provide modest protection against UV-induced erythema[3].
Polyphenols
Polyphenols are a large group of naturally occurring plant components that are widely distributed in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Important dietary sources of polyphenols are grape seeds (proanthocyanidins), berries and cherries (anthocyanins), tea and red wine (flavonols and catechins), citrus fruits (flavanones), and soybeans (isoflavones). Most natural polyphenols are pigments, usually yellow, red, or purple, that absorb UV radiation and help protect plants from UV damage. Furthermore, there are evidences that they can do the same for humans. When we ingest polyphenols, our skin becomes less sensitive to UV rays.
Vitamins C and E
Both vitamins C and E are known antioxidants, essential for protecting cells from oxidative damage. While some studies propose that topical vitamin C can reduce UV-induced skin damage, the effectiveness of oral vitamin C supplements remains ambiguous. Similarly, the efficacy of oral vitamin E supplements as photoprotectants isn't fully verified. However, combining oral vitamin C and E could potentially decrease the skin's burn rate and lessen UV damage.
Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health which include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They are mainly present in fatty fish such as salmon and bluefin tuna, algae, walnuts, chia seeds and hemp seeds. A number of studies have shown that supplements of omega-3s, especially EPA, may help protect the skin from UV damage.
Alfa Chemistry is dedicated to the development, production and marketing of dietary supplements. Looking for dietary supplement ingredients that offer UV protection? Please do not hesitate to contact us, our team of experts will be happy to assist you.
References
- Fernández-García E. Skin protection against UV light by dietary antioxidants. Food & function, 2014, 5(9):1994-2003.
- Ito N, et al. The protective role of astaxanthin for UV-induced skin deterioration in healthy people—A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutrients, 2018, 10(7):817.
- Baswan SM, et al. Role of ingestible carotenoids in skin protection: A review of clinical evidence. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2021, 37(6):490-504.
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