How to protect your skin from the sun.
Updated: Sep 25
Wear sunscreen every day. Exposing scars in the healing stage to the sun can cause them to darken and slow the healing process. Peels, which remove the epithelial layer of the skin, also make you more prone to pigmentation. The ultraviolet rays stimulate the pigment-producing cells in your skin, leading to further discoloration. To avoid this, you should wear sunscreen every day, summer or winter. Before heading outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Reapply after swimming, sweating, or over two hours in the sun.
Carotenoids are antioxidants in carrots, squash, pumpkin, yams, etc., known as lycopene, lutein and beta carotene. Take the Super Vitamin E supplement. Astaxanthin is found in salmon, krill oil and rainbow trout and offers sun protection when regularly maintained at a constant level in the body. Carotenoids and polyphenols like EGCG in green tea, resveratrol in red grapes, and ellagic acid in berries offer natural sun protection.
Supplements used as sunscreen?
Though antioxidants from foods confer sun protection to the skin, consuming them in supplement form poses a risk. Oxidation is a finely balanced process, meaning at high levels, antioxidants could morph into “pro-oxidants” and create more damage, experts say.
How to protect your skin from the sun
Heliocare is a fern extract with antioxidant activity. There are a lot of excellent studies that show it reduces sunburn, oxidative stress and DNA damage.”
It has a SPF of 100
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Rich SPF foods
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant pigment that may protect against sunburn. Tomatoes work better with Olive oil, which also has sunscreen benefits. Other lycopene-rich foods include watermelon and pink grapefruit.
Sweet potatoes and spinach
Sweet potatoes and spinach, carrots, mangoes, apricots, cantaloupe and kale are rich in beta-carotene, another carotenoid that helps decrease skin redness when exposed to UV light. Lutein is in spinach, along with another skin-protective carotenoid.
Berries, grapes and pomegranate have sun-protective polyphenols: Raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate deliver ellagic acid, while red grapes are rich in resveratrol.
Fatty fish
Salmon, sardines, herring, sardines, mackerel and rainbow trout can help make sunburn less severe because they are rich in omega-3s.
Drinking your sunscreen
Green tea contains polyphenols called catechins, which may help protect skin from sun damage.
Essential Oils
Research how much essential oil to use. Research each essential oil before formulating with it. Dilute each essential oil with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.
Essential Oils SPF Factor-
Carrot Seed Oil- SPF 35-40
Peppermint Oil- up to SPF 7
Lavender Oil -5 SPF
Carrier Oils
Hazel Nut oil SPF 15
Olive Oil- up to 7 SPF
Shea Butter- 4-6 SPF
Almond Oil- up to 5 SPF
Hemp Seed Oil SPF 6
Sesame Oil SPF 4-10,
Mango butter 4-6
Coconut Oil- 4-6 SPF (Clogs pore)
Moroccan Oil SPF ???
Argan oil SPF ???
Soy Bean Oil SPF 10
Enriching Oils
Wheat germ oil SPF 20
Red Raspberry Seed Oil-SPF 25-50
Macadamia Nut Oil- up to SPF 6
Minerals
Zinc Oxide- 1% provides 1.6 SPF units. (depending on the quantity you use)
Titanium Dioxide - 1% provides 2.6 SPF units. (depending on the quantity you use)
These oils below have the highest SPF. Before you purchase: Check to make sure your skin type is compatible with them.
Carrot Seed Oil *affiliate link Click Here to purchase on Amazon
Raspberry Seed Oil *affiliate link Click Here to purchase on Amazon
Wheat germ oil *affiliate link Click Here to purchase on Amazon
Here's an option for acne prone individuals that is available on Amazon:
Also, it's essential to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider before using new skin care products, especially if you have a history of skin reactions.
Here are some other related articles you may enjoy learning from:
https://www.estheticsbyida.com/post/photosensitive-foods-and-clothing
https://www.estheticsbyida.com/post/sun-protective-clothing
References
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/05/17/health/healthy-skin-diet-sunscreen-drayer-food/index.html
https://alkassandra.com/2022/03/19/protecting-your-skin-from-the-inside-out/