5 Natural Supplements To Protect The Skin From The Sun

As the years go by, you may see how your skin dries out more than necessary on beach days, it has spots or it cannot stand the sun as before. Why does all this happen? Is there anything you can do?

Does the sun age the skin?

The skin is the barrier that protects the body from the aggressions of the environment. In summer, it is more exposed to solar radiation and chemicals such as chlorine or irritating soaps. This can cause alterations in water metabolism and the structure of the horny layer, which manifests itself as dryness, wrinkles, redness and spots.

Over the years, the keratinization process is altered and basic substances for the skin are no longer synthesized, such as the natural hydration factor, some fatty acids and sebaceous secretions. All this makes it more vulnerable to the sun.

In addition, they increase water loss, delipidization, hyperpigmentation and even the establishment of pathogenic organisms.

For their part, the free radicals generated by solar radiation deteriorate collagen and elastin and cause cellular damage that accelerates aging.

Combat the effects of solar radiation on the skin

Both to mitigate and to prevent the harmful effects of the sun on the skin, you can take nutritional supplements that help the body to strengthen the skin barrier.

1. Notable fatty acids, especially omega-7 (the recommended dose would be about 600 mg daily). They have an anti-inflammatory, regenerating and antioxidant action on skin and mucous membranes that increases its hydration and elasticity. In natural supplements they are usually extracted from sea buckthorn.
2. Also important is beta-carotene (15 to 30 mg daily), a precursor to vitamin A, which protects the epidermis from solar attacks by neutralizing free radicals and promoting melanin synthesis. It abounds in orange vegetables.
3. It acts in synergy with vitamins E (400 IU) and C (500-1,000 mg), which preserve cell membranes and stimulate collagen synthesis in the dermis.
4. Another good supplement is organic silicon (10 to 30 ml daily), which is lost with age and is vital to preserve the structure of the skin. You can get silicon from some foods and plants, such as brown millet or horsetail.
5. Lastly, there are the polyphenols (125-250 mg daily). They have photoprotective activity, delay skin erythema caused by the sun and prevent cell mutations. You can get them from a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.