Did you know you could boost your natural UV resistance?! 🌞
Yep, protecting your skin does not only end at using broad spectrum sunscreen. Maintaining healthy skin and nourishing your body with the right nutrients can help protect against UV exposure and its harmful effects like sun damage, premature skin aging, and even skin cancer.
Beyond using external sunscreen, you can definitely *enhance* your natural resistance to UV rays by regularly incorporating certain foods and herbs into your diet that may provide an extra level of support for your skin health.
In the same way that you apply sunscreen to combat the negative effects or cell damage caused by sun exposure, the below natural ingredients act as a form of internal sun protection as well. Here's how you can amplify your skin’s natural resilience to sun exposure:
1. A poor diet can weaken your skin’s ability to withstand sun exposure. Start with a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to fight reactive oxygen species and combat oxidative damage caused by UV rays.
2. Stay hydrated! Not drinking enough water is one of the lifestyle factors that affect your resilience against ultraviolet light and even your overall health.
Hydrated skin is happy and strong skin, so make sure to drink enough water throughout the day (and eat water-rich foods) to keep your skin plump and resilient.
3. Boost your antioxidant intake! Antioxidants fight against harmful free radicals generated by UV radiation. Antioxidant-containing foods include citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, certain teas, and nuts or seeds.
These nutrients reduce inflammation caused by UV radiation and provide beneficial effects for improving your skin texture.
4. Vitamin C! It supports collagen production and aids in repairing damaged skin. (ex. citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, bell peppers, and papaya)
5. Vitamin E! This potent antioxidant can help reduce UV-induced skin damage. (ex. almonds, sunflower seeds, spinach, avocado, and olive oil) These enhance your skin’s resistance by reducing skin inflammation and DNA damage caused by sun exposure.
6. Beta-carotene! It acts as a natural sunscreen. (ex. carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, apricots, and mangoes) – AKA internal sunscreen!
7. Consider herbal supplements! Green tea extract, with its polyphenols and catechins, may offer protective effects against damage from UVA and UVB rays.
Turmeric, known for its curcumin compound, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (other great ones: cinnamon, cumin, clove, ginger, peppermint)
8. Don't forget about lycopene! This powerful antioxidant, found in tomatoes and other red-colored fruits, offers potential benefits (backed by scientific evidence) in protecting against UV damage.
So, make sure to include tomatoes, watermelon, guava, and pink grapefruit in your diet to give your skin an extra boost of lycopene power! I’ll be eating watermelon all summer long.
🚫 Keep in mind, these suggestions are not a replacement for proper sun protection measures—they serve as a SUPPORT.
Thank you for reading!
This article of the Skinsider Scoop was graciously written by Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, and Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Claudia Gilani, and edited by the Clean Skin Club team. If you're interested in more from Claudia, please shoot us an email, and follow her Instagram - @healingthesource