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If the thought of sunscreen conjures images of those horrifying white casts on your face and sticky application, this latest beauty industry trend might appeal to you. Marketed as <keyword id="22543566" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunscreen-pills" source="keywords">sunscreen pills</keyword>, this product is marketed as a sure-fire way of skipping the mess and effort associated with conventional sunscreens while still getting <keyword id="19958769" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sun-protection" source="keywords">sun protection</keyword>. But as is the case with most fads, this one comes with a catch, too. <em>Sigh</em>.<br /><br />Let's face it, sunscreen pills sound undeniably attractive — imagine popping a pill and being able to frolic in the sun without a care in the world. No more reapplying gooey lotions or worrying about unsightly tan lines. This convenience factor is a major draw, especially for those who dislike traditional sunscreen.<br /><br /><h2>But is there any science behind the sizzle?</h2>These pills often contain <keyword id="22543569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="polypodium-leucotomos" source="Orion">polypodium leucotomos</keyword> (PL), a Central American fern extract with some antioxidant properties.<br /><br />When the Sun's invisible rays (UV light) hit your skin and disrupt its molecules, they create unstable and highly reactive molecules called free radicals. Free radicals set off a damaging chain reaction, or oxidation, that hurts your skin's DNA and proteins. This damage can lead to premature ageing, inflammation and even <keyword id="20285616" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="skin-cancer" source="keywords">skin cancer</keyword>.<br /><br />So the antioxidant property of PL can allegedly help fight free radical damage caused by the sun's <keyword id="20373638" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UV-rays" source="keywords">UV rays</keyword>. The brand Heliocare actually funded a tiny <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345929/">study</a> involving 40 participants with skin colours ranging from white to light brown. They gave participants a supplement containing 240 mg of PL twice a day for 60 days and found that the sunscreen pills had reduced damaging effects of UV radiation like erythema — an abnormal redness.<br /><br />While the study also deemed higher doses of PL safe, the lack of more substantial, independent research is rather glaring. While they might be a good “supplement” for individuals with very sensitive skin or any family history of skin cancer (to be considered only after consultation with your doctor), many experts opine that they likely offer minimal, if any, protection against the full spectrum of UVA and UVB rays that damage your skin.<br /><br />As of now, dermatologists emphasise that sunscreen pills are not a replacement for <keyword id="22543567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="topical-sunscreen" source="keywords">topical sunscreen</keyword> — and are merely supplements.<br /><br /><h2>A false sense of security</h2>The problem with marketing based on half-baked research with very little evidence to back its effectiveness is that it can spark some serious safety concerns. It has taken doctors forever to beat sense into us and get us to use topical sunscreen, and the false sense of security created by a <keyword id="22543570" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sunscreen-pill" source="Orion">sunscreen pill</keyword> can take all of that away. Even the FDA has warned consumers that sunscreen pills shouldn't replace topical sunscreen. Relying solely on pills puts you at risk for sunburn and potentially skin cancer.<br /><br />Another concern is that sunscreen pills are considered dietary supplements, which are not as rigorously regulated as medications. This makes it difficult to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of the ingredients, especially since long-term use hasn't been thoroughly studied.<br /><br /><h2>Sunscreen pills don’t seem very inclusive</h2>While there aren't many reported side effects, some studies have shown mild itching or gastrointestinal upset. However, there are certain groups who should be extra cautious with sunscreen pills:<br /><br /><ul><li>Children: Their bodies may react differently to supplements compared to adults.</li><li>Pregnant and nursing women: There's no safety data available for this population.</li><li>People with allergies to PL: Avoid these pills to prevent allergic reactions.</li><li>People with medical conditions or taking medications: Consult your doctor to ensure there are no interactions or safety concerns.</li></ul>Evidently, there’s a relatively small number of people who can benefit from sunscreen pills.<br /><br /><h2>The verdict</h2>The potential of sunscreen pills is not lost on us. But it is simply too early for companies to start marketing this product to trusting consumers who might make the mistake of swapping them with their topical sunscreens. <br /><br />More research is needed to determine their effectiveness and long-term safety. Until then, sunscreens remain the gold standard for sun protection. Sunscreen pills could be a convenient addition to your sun protection routine, but they should never replace the essentials.<br /><br />Sticking to dermatologist-approved methods is highly recommended. Applying a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen liberally and reapplying every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating is usually advised.<br /><br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="101028058" title="If you hate reapplying sunscreen while wearing makeup, try these 2 dermatologist-recommended hacks" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Fad-busters: “Sunscreen” pills are the new trend in the market — but should you be taking them?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Experts agree that the safest tan is not tan at all. </li><li>Tanning and <keyword id="6404681" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sunburn">sunburn</keyword> are both signs of significant <keyword id="6371970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="skin">skin</keyword> damage.</li><li>There are ways you can still get tan and reduce your risk of skin cancer like avoiding tanning beds and using self-tanning products.</li><li>This article <strong>was <a href="https://www.insider.com/insider-medical-review-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medically reviewed</a></strong> by <a href="https://www.providence.org/doctors/profile/349993-trevan-dale-fischer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trevan D. Fischer</a><strong>, MD, a surgical oncologist and assistant professor of surgical oncology at John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's <keyword id="6354750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health">Health</keyword> Center in Santa Monica, California</strong>.</li></ul><p>Dermatologists agree that the safest way to get a tan is to not tan at all. However, if you don't want to skip the sun, there are plenty of ways you can protect your skin while enjoying time outdoors. </p><p>Here's what happens when your skin tans, and how you can achieve that summer glow safely.</p><h2>Skin tan is your body's way of protecting itself from <keyword id="87650" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="sun-damage">sun damage</keyword></h2><p>When you're lounging outside, the sun's UV rays penetrate the outer layers of your skin, damaging DNA in the process. As a defense mechanism, skin cells called <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/melanocyte" target="_blank" rel="noopener">melanocytes</a> produce melanin, a pigment that protects against further damage. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2671032/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Melanin</a> not only helps absorb UV radiation, but it is also responsible for causing the skin to darken and tan.</p><p>"Tanning is a byproduct of DNA damage — so, whenever you have a tan, it means you've hurt your body," says <a href="https://health.tamu.edu/experts/gabriel-neal.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gabriel Neal</a>, MD, a family physician and clinical associate professor of Primary Care Medicine &amp; Population Health at the Texas A&amp;M College of Medicine. </p><p>Fortunately, your damaged skin cells can repair themselves. When you stay out of the sun and subsequently, your tan fades, that's a sign that your skin has healed. However, when you are exposed to the sun for a long period of time, your melanocytes will continue to produce melanin even after you escape its rays. This is why your skin may continue to develop a tan a few days following a bad <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-treat-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sunburn</a> or after you have spent all day in the sunshine. </p><p>People of all skin colors have around the <a href="https://skincancer.net/clinical/melanin-risk-factors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">same amount of melanocytes in their bodies</a>. However, the amount of melanin those melanocytes produce varies from person to person. People with fairer skin produce less melanin than people with darker skin. That's why <a href="https://www.insider.com/can-dark-skinned-people-get-sunburn#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20CDC%2C%20the,skinned%20people%20to%20get%20sunburn." target="_blank" rel="noopener">dark-skinned people are less likely to get a sunburn</a> because they have higher baseline levels of melanin. That said, people of all skin colors can still develop skin cancer. </p><h2>There are short-term and long-term effects of tanning</h2><p>"One of the biggest misconceptions about tanning is that getting a base layer tan will help prevent skin damage for future tanning," says <a href="https://vivo.health.unm.edu/display/n39315" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Naiara Barbosa</a>, MD, director of Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Oncology and assistant professor at the University of New Mexico. In reality, this couldn't be farther from the truth.</p><p>The effects of skin damage from tanning are cumulative and increase each time you expose your skin to UV radiation. Barbosa also says that tanning and burning are both significantly harmful to the skin. </p><p>Besides a sunburn, short term physical effects of sun exposure include <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/melasma-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">melasma</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-causes-freckles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">freckles</a>. "Freckles are one of the earliest indicators of sun damage," Barbosa says. Sun exposure can also trigger symptoms of existing conditions such as <a href="https://www.rosacea.org/tags/sun" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rosacea</a>. </p><p>Over time, people who tan frequently may damage their skin beyond the point of repair, putting them at a higher risk for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans developing it <a href="https://www.aad.org/media/stats-skin-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">before the age of 70</a>. </p><p><a href="https://marylandoncology.com/disease-drug-info/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Skin cancers</a> associated with suntanning include both non-melanoma cancers — such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — and melanoma. Melanoma is the rarest, yet deadliest, type of skin cancer because it will spread to other organs if not treated early on. </p><p>Another consequence of UV rays is that they <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8642084/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">break down collagen</a>, which is a protein that provides structure to your skin. When it is degraded, the skin sags and wrinkles. That's why too much sun exposure advances aging, leading to wrinkles, thin skin, easy bruising, and sunspots. </p><h2>How to tan safely </h2><p>Most people spend too much time in the sun trying to achieve a perfect tan. There are some pros to sun exposure, such as <a href="https://www.insider.com/vitamin-d-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vitamin D</a> production. However, you only need to spend about <a href="https://www.who.int/uv/resources/FAQ/uvhealtfac/en/index1.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20doubt%20that,shorter%20periods%20of%20exposure%20suffice." target="_blank" rel="noopener">15 minutes in the sun three times a week</a> to get those benefits. </p><p>To ensure you're protecting your skin, Neal recommends the following sun safety protocols: </p><h3>1. Wear sunscreen</h3><p>The CDC reports that <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/articles/sunscreen-use.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less than 15% of men and 30% of women apply sunscreen regularly</a> even though it's essential for protecting skin from UV damage. </p><p>When it comes to <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/sunscreen/how-to-select-sunscreen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">choosing a sunscreen</a> you should use broad-spectrum with a <a href="https://www.insider.com/what-does-spf-stand-for" target="_blank" rel="noopener">minimum of 30 SPF</a>. For the best protection, reapply every two hours and more frequently if you are sweating or in the water as the sunscreen may dissolve or wash off.</p><h3>2. Always avoid tanning beds</h3><p>There are <a href="https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more skin cancer cases</a> related to the <a href="https://www.insider.com/are-tanning-beds-safe#:~:text=Indoor%20tanning%20is%20more%20dangerous,of%20skin%20or%20eye%20cancer." target="_blank" rel="noopener">use of tanning beds</a> than there are lung cancer cases related to cigarette smoking. </p><p>Indoor tanning is more dangerous than outdoor tanning because of the intense UV rays applied directly to a person's body. Outside, there are more physical barriers to protect you from too much UV radiation. Because of this, many states have banned the use of tanning beds for minors. </p><p>Exposure to direct UV radiation from tanning beds can also cause <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/indoor-tanning-eye-safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener">harm to your eyes in the form of</a> inflammation, cataracts, or eye cancer. </p><h3>3. Cover up and seek shade</h3><p>When outside, wear long-sleeve shirts and wide-brimmed hats for coverage. Also, when spending long hours outside on a sunny day, frequently seek shade not only to avoid sunburn but also <a href="https://www.insider.com/heat-illness-guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heat illness</a>.</p><p>Neal also recommends avoiding the sun during peak hours, when UV radiation is at its highest, usually from 11 am to 3 pm, but that may vary slightly depending on your location and time of year.</p><h3>4. Use self-tanner</h3><p>The only safe way to tan is to <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/apply-self-tanner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">use a self-tanning product</a> or get a spray tan. Most self-tanning products and sprays are safe and FDA approved. These cosmetics do not penetrate the skin to cause harm like UV rays, and instead, just coat the outer layer. </p><p>The length of time your fake tan will last varies from product to product, but they usually keep their color for about one week. Exfoliating beforehand will remove dead skin cells to ensure the tan lasts longer.</p><h3>5. Take a supplement</h3><p><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4345929/#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20Polypodium%20leucotomos%20extract%20240mg,damaging%20effects%20of%20ultraviolet%20radiation.&amp;text=There%20are%20a%20variety%20of,prevent%20sunburns%20and%20skin%20cancer.cer." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Polypodium leucotomos</a>, commonly known as <a href="https://www.heliocare.com/what-is-heliocare/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heliocare</a>, is taken as an oral supplement and has been shown to reduce skin damage from sun exposure. Additionally, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4570055/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nicotinamide</a>, a vitamin B3 supplement, may reduce the risk of skin cancer. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking these supplements. </p><h2>Related articles from our <a href="https://www.insider.com/health-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Health Reference</a> library:</h2><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-treat-sunburn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to treat a sunburn: Debunking the coconut oil, vinegar, and shaving cream myths</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-clear-skin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 science-backed ways to get clear skin without pricey products</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.insider.com/are-tanning-beds-safe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanning beds damage skin cells and even one session is dangerous</a></strong></li></ul>

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Fad-busters: “Sunscreen” pills are the new trend in the market — but should you be taking them?

Ashmita Gupta

Quick and easy tips on how to tan safely and reduce your risk of skin cancer

Ava English

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