Skin and Hair Health

Stay Sunkissed, not suntanned! I'm not trying to be racist here, but sun-tanning can do more damage than darkening the superficial level of your skin. From pigmentation issues to premature ageing, harmful UV rays from the sun are capable of harming your skin within a few seconds. That does not mean you don't go out in the sun and get yourself locked up in your room. Exposure to sunlight is equally important. That’s where the role of sunscreen comes in. It allows you to be exposed to the sunlight without letting you get affected by its harmful UV rays. 

While there are plenty of these sunscreen options available as topical creams, what’s trending lately is the new age sunscreen that is edible and works. Let’s get a quick insight on what drinkable supplements or oral sunscreens mean and how it provides sun protection through this article today.

Significance of Sunscreen

What’s in the UV rays, and why do we need protection from them? Emitted from the sunrays, UV or Ultraviolet radiation is classified into 3 types based on their wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVB. Before hitting the Earth’s surface, an invisible layer named the ozone layer absorbs most of these rays. While UVC rays are completely absorbed by the ozone layer, out of the UVA and UVB rays that hit the earth's surface, UVA rays tend to stay consistent throughout the year and penetrate deeper into the skin. 

Fun fact: The sun is not the only source of UV rays; these are also generated from certain lasers, some halogen, mercury vapour lighting and tanning beds.

How UV rays affect the skin

Your skin, being the outermost and largest organ of the body, becomes the first point of contact with the UV rays emitted from the sun. UV rays are essential for the vitamin D synthesis needed for stronger bones, better immunity and overall health. Too much exposure to UV rays can cause skin problems ranging from mild irritation and sun tanning to severe conditions such as premature ageing to skin cancers.

Exposure to UV rays from the sun can have short-term and long-term effects such as

Short-term exposure

• Tanning- By increasing the amount of skin colour pigment as a defence for ultraviolet rays
• Dehydration- Caused by water loss due to evaporation
• Sunburn- Brought about by cellular damage, causing redness and painful lesions

Long-term exposure

• Photoaging By breaking Collagen and elastin fibres beneath the skin surface, long-term exposure to UV rays accelerates signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and saggy skin
• Pigmentation Issues In response to constant exposure, skin cells tend to overproduce melanin pigment in certain areas of the skin, leading to hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone, for protection against UV rays.
• Skin Cancer Both UVA and UVB can cause DNA mutations in the skin cells, leading to severe skin conditions such as skin cancers, including melanoma.

Conventional Sunscreen

Sunscreens were developed with the intent to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the UV rays generated from the Sun. These usually come in the form of topical applications that absorb the UV rays and prevent them from penetrating into deep layers of the skin cells, thereby preventing potential damage.

Types

These topical applications are most commonly available in the form of creams, lotions, gels, sprays and balms. Their ingredients are mainly based on the two types of mechanisms: Chemical absorbers and Mineral blockers. Some of the sunscreens contain chemical absorbers, while others contain mineral blockers, and some contain combinations of both.

Chemical Absorbers: As the name suggests, by acting as a sponge that absorbs these UV rays, converting them into heat, which is then dissipated in the air.

Mineral Blockers: Made mostly using Zinc oxide and Titanium oxide, these sunscreens tend to reflect the UV rays and scatter them before they can penetrate the skin. Thus, these blockers work as sun protection shields.

These sunscreens are also categorised based on their ability to provide the best protection, and an indicator for this is mentioned on their label as SPF (Sun Protection Factor). This SPF number debates the amount of UV rays that are filtered and also the time gap it takes for your skin to remain protected from sunburn as compared to exposed skin without sunscreen. For instance, a sunscreen with SPF 30 absorbs around 97 % of UV rays while another with SPF 50 absorbs around 98 % of the UV rays.

Benefits of using a sunscreen

1) Protection from Sunburn

2) Reduces the risk of Skin Cancer

3)Delays the signs of ageing

Limitations

While these sunscreen offers a host of benefits of sun protection, they come with their own set of challenges:

1) Oily or greasy skin

2) Uneven application

3) Wearing off due to sweat

4) Need for reapplication after every 2-3 hours

Drinkable Sunscreen

Topical sunscreens have been around for quite a long time, but what’s catching the attention of the masses lately is the concept of drinkable sunscreen,n also popularly termed as the new age sunscreen. It refers to nutritional supplements containing strong antioxidants and other active ingredients that provide similar benefits to topical sunscreen. While topical sunscreens work by absorbing or blocking the UV rays, Drinkable sunscreens function by scavenging free radicals generated by UV rays and thereby preventing any damage in the skin at the cellular level. 

They also work by reducing excess and darker melanin pigment, providing a uniform, even and lighter skin tone. Additionally, these drinkable sunscreen also boosts the body’s internal production of antioxidants, which aids in the prevention of damage due to UV rays exposure. Thus, drinkable sunscreen works as an internal sunblock. Some of the commonly used ingredients in these drinkable sun protection supplements include glutathione, hyaluronic acid, astaxanthin, lycopene, etc.

Functional Ingredients of Drinkable Sunscreen

Glutathione
One of the most powerful antioxidants of our body, also known as the master antioxidant. This one helps the skin with tanning and pigmentation problems by reducing the amount of melanin and promoting lighter melanin production over the darker one. It also aids in detoxifying the entire body, aiding the liver in its detoxification process.

Hyaluronic Acid
This one is known for its hydrating properties. Prevents water loss from the skin, keeping it plump and healthier by retaining moisture and protecting it from environmental triggers.

Astaxanthin
Another potent antioxidant that prevents damage due to oxidative stress generated due to UV exposure. It helps in delaying signs of ageing by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, enhancing skin elasticity, thereby preventing skin sagging and provides an anti-inflammatory effect.

Lycopene
Rich in red coloured fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, this antioxidant also helps in scavenging free radicals from UV rays. From preventing premature signs of ageing to promoting an even skin tone. This one aids in skin protection further.

Benefits of sunscreen

Drinkable sunscreens too, come with their own set of benefits

1) The effect is not restricted to a particular body part of the application but provides protection all over the body.

2)No need to reapply

3) Convenient and carries less risk of allergic reactions

4) Contain additional ingredients for overall skin health

Limitations

1)Drinkable sunscreens do not give instant results but gradually build nutrients inside your body.

2)The results of these supplements are also dependent on a person’s lifestyle, along with

3)Not a standalone solution but a complementary support along with other skincare products like topical application and a healthy lifestyle.

Summary

Whether you wish to look younger, keep the sun tan at bay or simply want to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV rays, drinkable sunscreen can come to your aid when coupled with other conventional treatments of skincare and skin protection, followed up with a healthy diet, exercise regimen. Drinkable supplements can act as internal sunblock, so ensure to make the most of them.