Oral skin supplements - do they work?
Supplements are a quick, simple way to give our bodies an extra boost of nutrients. We can target a number of deficiencies or functions with supplements, such as vitamin D for our immune system, magnesium for bone health and energy levels, or iron for healthy blood cells.1
Supplements are also available specifically for skin health. There are many to choose from, with benefits including boosting hydration, improving elasticity, smoothing roughness2, and even reducing inflammation3. Oral skin supplements can work brilliantly in tandem with topical skincare to enhance results.
But skin health goes beyond the way it looks. If you have particularly sun-sensitive skin, or you’re simply looking to step up your skincare routine with oral supplementation, sun protection supplements are a great place to start, enhancing the body’s tolerance to the sun's rays and protecting the skin from the inside out.
How the sun damages our skin
The detrimental effects of the sun are extensive. From redness, blistering and allergies, to sagging, wrinkles, age spots and hyperpigmentation, the sun is responsible for many damages and discomforts. But beyond the ‘look’ of sun damage is something more worrying; as well as causing free radical damage and DNA damage, the sun’s rays are also the proven cause of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and a contributing factor to the most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma.4
Wearing high level, broad spectrum SPF every single day is key to fighting UV radiation and keeping our skin healthy. But we can further enhance this protection with an oral supplement, amplifying the protective benefits as well as helping to mitigate damage if we don’t use enough sunscreen, we don’t apply it evenly, or we forget to reapply after sweating or getting wet.
Oral supplements to protect against sun damage
The Heliocare 360° oral supplements offer additional protection against the sun, improving the skin’s own defense mechanisms and providing deeper systemic protection. They are also proven to reduce changes in pigmentation and reduce the signs of premature skin ageing.
The key ingredient is Fernblock, an anti-oxidant powerhouse that’s clinically proven to protect the skin like no other. Derived from the tropical fern Polypodium leucotomos, Fernblock is proven to protect and repair the skin in a number of ways, including decreasing sunburn, protecting our Langerhans cells and existing collagen, and increasing natural collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin production. Heliocare capsules also contain additional N-acetylcysteine, which helps the body produce anti-oxidants, along with Vitamins B3, C and E, plus prebiotics.
How to take Heliocare oral skin supplements
Heliocare capsules are ideal for long periods of sun exposure, such as holidays, walking, playing sport or working outdoors. They are highly recommended for those with sun-sensitive skin or suffering with Polymorphic Light Eruption (PLE), where the skin becomes red and blotchy in the sun.
Heliocare 360° capsules should be taken at least half an hour before you go outside. If intense sun exposure is expected, take two capsules; one in the morning, and one at midday. Don’t forget to also apply a high level, broad spectrum SPF. Our capsules are designed to work in conjunction with topical products, amplifying them, rather than replacing them. A combined approach to sun protection is the best way to protect your skin against the damaging effects of the sun.5
Shop oral skin supplements today
The single best thing you can do for your skin health is to protect it from the sun. Step up your skincare routine this summer with oral skin supplements from Heliocare. Remember, our capsules are designed to work in tandem with our topical products, such as the Heliocare 360° Gels, Fluids and Sprays. Just as dietary supplements are never a replacement for a healthy balanced diet, sun protection supplements are not a substitute for sunscreen and protective clothing.
