Posted August 22, 2014 in Blog
Could a new type of sunscreen—one that you imbibe—solve the conundrums of how much sunscreen to use and how to ensure you’ve hit those hard to reach spots? Time Magazine recently covered the new bottled “sunscreen” water that’s billed to provide protection equivalent to an SPF 30 topical sunscreen for hours after being guzzled. Drinkable sunscreen sounds foreign to us all, don’t worry if you wince at the thought!
It’s called “UV Neutralizer Harmonized Water” and according to the manufacturer, drinking the water triggers vibrations in the water molecules that reside below our skin’s surface. This theoretically causes them to emit a frequency that throws off UVA and UVB frequencies when they hit our exposed skin, supposedly preventing the sun’s rays from causing cellular damage.
It sounds like science fiction, and due to the fact that no scientific studies have been done on the product (the company performed a self-study involving about 50 people, according to the article), most dermatologists are dubious about these claims.
The moral of this story? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. We recommend you protect yourself with traditional sunscreen and let others be the guinea pigs for drinkable sunscreen.
While the idea that what you eat or drink can provide some protection against the sun has some standing—phytochemical-rich foods like whole fruits and vegetables can help protect skin from free radical damage that comes with the sun’s harmful rays—don’t trade your tube of SPF for a bunch of broccoli (or a bottle of water) just yet.
Stick with a clinically tested, broad-spectrum sunscreen, which will offer both UVA/UVB protection. These days, you have many options to get the protection you need and avoid the greasy, heavy feel that tends to be a turn-off (and makes the idea of an ingestible sunscreen more tempting…maybe). We have products that you may even love to put on your skin!
One good choice that meets these requirements is SkinMedica Environmental Defense Sunscreen™. This effective lightweight sunscreen is water resistant, SPF 50+, and recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. It’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores, and is formulated so it won’t alter the effects of your moisturizer, makeup, or other skincare products.
Don’t forget to honor other tried-and-true advice, like avoiding the sun from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, when its rays are most intense, and wearing clothing made with UPF fabric, to ensure your skin is optimally protected.
Protecting your skin from harmful sun damage is critical, not just for a youthful look, but for your overall health—and we’re passionate about helping patients achieve both. If you have questions about your skin care options, give us a call. We’ll be happy to help you create an effective plan to protect and preserve your skin, not only during the summer, but all year round.
