Emerging Nutraceuticals to Protect Against UV Exposure

We’re in the midst of summer, which means plenty of outdoor time at the park, beach, or simply on the patio. Most of us are headed outside with pale skin from the winter months, which makes us more vulnerable to UV rays, sun damage, and skin cancer risk.

We need some sun exposure to produce vitamin D, but there are risks from overexposure to UV rays like degradation of collagen, leathery skin, and skin cancer.

The marketplace is replete with sunscreens that offer protection but also come with exposure to toxic chemicals. Plus, spray-on sunscreen products can expose you to the risk of inhaling nanoparticles.

Interestingly, the emerging science of nutraceutical skin protectants offers a second line of defense against skin aging from UV exposure and skin cancer. Sunscreens are still the first line of defense, as is staying out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and wearing hats. Let’s take a look at these new products.

Astaxanthin: Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant. When taken at appropriate doses, it increases skin pigmentation, which is a sort of natural sun shield. It is found in salmon, shrimp, and krill. Research also suggests that it may reduce skin wrinkling and minimize loss of skin elasticity. The downside is that the additional pigmentation may appear somewhat orange-ish.