Sunlight exposure may have immediate and long-lasting impacts. But did you know that the sun is to blame for 90% of our skin’s aging? Overexposure to the sun may hasten the aging process and other skin problems. The UV rays penetrate the skin’s deeper layers, resulting in sunspots, pigmentation, and early aging. Thus, it is crucial to shield your skin from dangerous UV radiation. By avoiding sunburns, daily usage of SPF helps safeguard the health and beauty of your skin. Applying sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 and reapplying every two to three hours are two simple ways to deflect the sun’s damaging rays.
Our UV protection regimen may be missing one important component, though: diet! Diet is a crucial aspect of skin care that is sometimes disregarded after daily routine. Our diets contribute significantly to the resilience of our skin by giving us foods with SPF properties. While sunscreens are the best option, several foods may assist strengthen your body’s built-in UV protection. A regular diet rich in these nutrient-dense foods may provide your skin an added layer of protection. Almonds are a powerful source of nourishment, have anti-inflammatory properties, and aid in the recovery of sun-damaged skin. There are several foods you may include in your diet to get a healthy dosage of nutrients that can protect your skin from the sun.
How does lycopene work to prevent sun damage, and is it effective?
In addition to being a chemical, lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment that gives many foods their red color and has antioxidant characteristics that may prevent aging. Additionally, it may be removed and used to tint other culinary items like sauces, soups, and even soft sweets! (Lycopene, why not?) The inside-out protection that regular intake of lycopene may provide is the main justification for getting enough of it throughout the summer. Lycopene works to combat cell damage, especially from UV radiation, and free radicals. The results of a 12-week trial involving 20 healthy women showed that lycopene offered protection against severe and maybe longer-term effects of photodamage in those participants who regularly ingested tomato paste, which contains 16 mg of lycopene.
Seven Foods That Work As Natural Sunscreen
- Raspberry Seed Oil: Red raspberry seed oil is an effective all-natural sunscreen, despite the fact that it may not be a regular ingredient in your kitchen. With an estimated SPF of 30–50, it provides substantial protection against UVA and UVB rays. This oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, hydrates and nourishes the skin in addition to shielding it from the sun. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties may also aid in soothing sun-damaged skin.
- Carrots: The ordinary carrot has advantages beyond only improved eyesight. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which gives them their brilliant color and also protects your skin from the sun. Including carrots in your diet may boost internal UV protection, while it won’t replace traditional sunscreen. Regular intake may increase your skin’s resilience to sunburn since they include antioxidant-rich ingredients that help combat the negative effects of UV radiation.
- Green tea: Green tea has a number of health benefits, one of them is that it functions as a natural sunscreen. One of the polyphenols found in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Green tea may decrease the damaging effects of sun exposure on the skin by being administered topically. Regular green tea use may help enhance skin health and UV defense.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil has long been a staple of natural cosmetics in nations like India, and its sun-protective properties are remarkable. While coconut oil might provide some UV protection, sunscreen should always be used on exposed skin. With an SPF of around 4-6, it is best suited for limited durations of sun exposure. Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, which help the skin’s natural capacity to hold onto moisture and fend against dryness from the sun.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a versatile culinary ingredient that can provide some sun protection. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in abundance in tomatoes, may help scavenge free radicals produced as a result of UV exposure. Regularly eating lycopene-rich foods, including tomatoes, may help improve your skin’s overall health and increase its defenses against UV damage. They may be used as a better alternative to sunscreen.
- Almonds: Almonds are a nutritious food that also include vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that supports the health of the skin. Vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidative damage when exposed to UV light. Almonds won’t act as a sunscreen by itself, but including them into your diet may provide you an internal defense against sun-induced skin aging. A delicious food that will increase your skin’s resiliency is almonds.
- Dark Chocolate: Consuming dark chocolate may unintentionally provide sun protection. Two flavonoids present in dark chocolate, catechins and procyanidins, have antioxidant properties that help shield your skin from UV radiation’s harmful effects. Even if quality dark chocolate is not a primary method of sun protection, having a modest quantity of it in your diet may improve the general health of your skin. Additionally, using a tiny quantity of dark chocolate on your face will give it brightness, smoothness, and a little UV protection.
It’s important to emphasize that these organic foods shouldn’t be used in lieu of traditional sunscreen, even if they could provide some amount of UV protection. For extended sun exposure, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a good SPF is a must. You can read more about the best sunscreens and their top brand reviews. Nevertheless, including these items into your diet and skincare routine may help you with your attempts to stay out of the sun and provide additional benefits for the overall health of your skin. As with any lifestyle change, a dermatologist or other medical professional should be contacted for the best skincare and sun protection techniques. Your skin will appreciate the veggies, almonds, and green tea you consume.
