Is it worth giving oral sunscreen supplements a shot?

If you thought you’ve come across every kind of sunblock, oral (read: ingestible) sunscreens have just entered the chat

About a decade ago, sunscreen was perhaps one of the least exciting skincare products—one that no one liked, and scarcely anyone wore. After all, who would willingly sign up for a face espousing a muddy white cast? Blame thick and pasty topical sunscreens that encompassed little to no user convenience, owing to the stubborn formulations. Cut to today, sunscreens are available in a myriad of textures and formulations—from gel- and cream-based ones to powder and stick formats. There’s really no reason to skimp on sunscreen now. There is yet another genus of sunscreen, in the form of ingestibles, also known as oral sunscreen. We speak with two expert dermatologists to give us a lowdown on the macrocosm of oral sunscreen. 

What is oral sunscreen?

“An oral sunscreen is basically an antioxidant supplement that helps the body fight against the free radicals primarily caused by UV radiation,” says New Delhi-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Kiran Sethi. A handful of international cosmeceutical brands like Heliocare and skincare houses like Murad Skincare and Crystal Tomato offer such ingestible sunscreen supplements. According to Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Madhuri Agarwal, oral sunscreens are loaded with sun damage-protection properties that also repair the sun damage caused to the skin cell DNA and help reduce redness and other potential side-effects of sunburns, as studies show that it works at the cellular level of the skin. 

The amendatory characteristic of oral sunscreens can be ascribed to an antioxidant called polypodium leucotomos, says Sethi. “Studies have shown that they can reduce sunburn cells (or the capacity for the sun to damage skin cells).” Agarwal mentions that while polypodium leucotomos, derived from ferns in South America,is the most commonly studied oral sunscreen ingredient, one can also pick out other antioxidants such as “lycopene, lutein, vitamins C and E, glutathione, beta carotene, niacinamide and cysteine.” Sethi furthers, “Lycopene (a chemical compound classified as a carotenoid that is found in grapefruits and tomatoes) can also be used as polypodium leucotomos but it isn’t available in India currently.”

Is it preventive, remedial or supplementary?

Can oral sunscreen supplements act as a substitute for topical ones? No, guarantee both the skin experts. “Oral sunscreens, which typically come in the form of a pill, aren't meant to be a complete substitute for the topical version, but they do make a nice addition to your routine,” says Sethi.

Highlighting the merits of an oral sunscreen, Agarwal says, “Oral sunscreens provide complete protection all over the body and scalp. You don’t need to take multiple doses of an oral sunscreen, plus the chances of discomfort and allergic reactions are less.” However, topical sunscreens still take precedence for they have been studied for years and offer far better-measured sun protection, as the time of sun protection offered by a topical sunscreen is predictable, believes Agarwal.

Even for Sethi, oral sunscreens work as auxiliary pillars to your sun protection efforts. “Oral protection can help make up for the limitations of topical sunscreen, with potentially a greater compliance of consumers due to ease of use,” she says. She also highlights the accessibility and utility of oral sunscreen pills for those who suffer from rosacea, pigmentation disorders (like melasma and vitiligo), genetic disorders (like xeroderm pigmentosum and porphyrias, which require strict sun protection) and other sun-related allergies. “In addition, oral sunscreens can be an advantage to those who are allergic to certain ingredients in topical sunscreen or develop acne due to topical sunscreens and sports players or people on the go who cannot reapply sunscreen frequently,” furthers Sethi.

One can then conclude that oral sunscreen supplements unquestionably fail to create a barrier between the skin and harmful UVA and UVB sun rays. Instead, they focus on contracting possible sun damage by infusing copious amounts of antioxidants in the body. Additionally, like most pills, oral sunscreens too come in handy in a circumstance like a sunburn, for instance, as a healing mechanism. And thus, oral sunscreen may not be as preventive as topical sunscreens, albeit, are antidotal and restorative in effect. “It is important to note that there are no published studies to date that directly compare the efficacy of oral sunscreens to that of topical sunscreens,” cites Sethi, on the matter.

Does it deserve a shot?

If you’re wondering whether such oral sunscreens are treacherous—they’re not, for most people, except those who could possess an allergy to any of the ingredients in them. “They are usually FDA-approved as food supplements and are safe to consume, provided you use FDA-approved and -regulated products,” says Agarwal. But the scope of protection they offer is still a question mark; it doesn’t stand a chance as a replacement for topical sunscreens.

“They complement each other. One cannot be replaced by another,” states Agarwal who believes that while topical sunscreens are a must, oral sunscreens can be looked at as an additional luxury. At the same time, oral sunscreen pills can also assist with pigmentation (caused by UV rays), ageing and sun allergy (or solar urticaria).

For Agarwal, oral sunscreen pills in no way are essential. Sethi also feels you can give it a miss unless you have major sun-related sensitivities or tendencies for pigmentation. And, if you do commit to oral sunscreens, “it’s best to take them once or twice daily,” advises Sethi. “Consulting with your dermatologist before starting to consume oral sunscreens is wise,” suggests Sethi. “And, if you’re already consuming them and happen to visit a dermatologist for a different reason, keep them informed about it,” concludes Sethi.

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