You can’t quite literally eat your sunscreen currently, but you can consume oral sunblock which adds a layer of protection that works together with your sunscreen. If you’ve noticed tanning or dark spots that keep coming back even though you wear sunscreen every day, the light that gets past your sunscreen is one of the reasons.
Like every sunscreen, Heliocare sunscreen works as a filter, and even SPF 50 only filters about 98% of UVB when you apply the full amount it is tested with (2 mg/cm²). However, most people only apply half of that or less (Petersen & Wulf, 2014), and it wears off as you sweat during the walk to lunch and touch your face. For Asian skin, visible light also causes darkening that lasts, which adds to sun damage (photoaging) over time. Oral Sunblock works from the inside to help your skin deal with the light that gets past.
How does Oral Sunblock work?
Think of the capsule as an antioxidant that you swallow, which helps your skin fight the damage light causes. It’s made with ASPA-Fernblock, the same patented technology in your Heliocare 360° sunscreen, which is a blend of Fernblock (a fern extract) and rooibos (the plant used in rooibos tea). Heliocare designed it to help protect against UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared, as UV is less than 5% of sunlight while about 55% is visible light and 40% is infrared (Truchuelo et al., 2019).
How it helps
Studies on Fernblock, the fern extract in ASPA-Fernblock, found:
- Tanning and darkening from visible light: Darkening was about a third lower after 28 days of taking Fernblock, in medium to darker skin tones. (Mohammad et al., 2019)
- Sunburn from UVB: Redness was 19% lower, and the rise in sunburn cells (skin cells killed by UV) was 76% smaller, in fair skin. (Kohli et al., 2017)
- Damage from strong UVA: Sunburn cells dropped by about a third, with less redness and swelling. (Middelkamp-Hup et al., 2004)
How to take it
- Take one capsule daily, 30 minutes before you leave the house.
- Keep applying your Heliocare sunscreen as usual and reapply every 2 hours.
Protect your skin from within as well with Heliocare Oral Sunblock!
FAQ
1. Can I take Oral Sunblock instead of sunscreen?
It’s made to work together with your sunscreen, so keep applying it. Oral Sunblock adds an extra layer of protection on top.
2. What’s inside each capsule?
ASPA-Fernblock, plus vitamins D, C and E, lutein and lycopene.
3. Are there any side effects?
There are no known side effects. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
