What’s the deal with edible sun care? A derm weighs in on the new method

You’re used to slathering on traditional sunscreen before heading to the beach, and making sure your face is covered with SPF before going pretty much anywhere outdoors—but what about edible sun care?

You read that right. Sun care that you eat exists. But before you pour yourself a tall glass of SPF (please don’t), there are a few things you should know about this new method.

First up, it doesn’t require actually ingesting sunscreen (thank goodness), and it doesn’t replace SPF either. What it all boils down to is supporting your skin from the inside—using products like Dabbly™ to supplement your sunscreen, so it’s better equipped to help fortify your skin.

To break down the science behind how this process works, we asked New York City dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD for a quick primer on what actually happens when your skin is exposed to the sun.

According to Dr. Henry, UV light produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which accumulate over time and contribute to the aging process by degrading collagen and compromising the skin barrier. So, what does this mean for your complexion?

Essentially, oxidative stress is a no-no for your skin’s glow.

Essentially, oxidative stress is a no-no for your skin’s glow. To combat it and subsequently slow down the aging process, it means you should keep slathering on the sunscreen, while also upping your intake of ingredients that battle oxidative stress.

These ingredients, found in Dabbly ™ gummies and shots (that you take like your daily vitamins), help manage oxidative stress to promote healthy, glowing skin by fortifying it from the inside out.

“Sunscreen keeps UV radiation out at your skin’s surface, [but] some skin damage happens beneath the surface,” says Chief Dabbler Niari Keverian. “Dabbly™ Sunny Offense™ products work to stay on the offense by helping to make your skin healthier and more resilient. Working together with sunscreen, we complement each other to create a well-rounded sun-care routine.” Protection and a snack in one? Talk about the ultimate sun-care routine.

Keep scrolling to learn more about edible sun care, and the ingredients in Dabbly™ products that work to keep your skin healthy.

Superoxide Dismutase

Though you might need Hooked on Phonics just to pronounce this ingredient found in Dabbly™ gummies, it’s actually just a very sciency-sounding name for a compound found in melons. In a clinical trial, melon extract was found to help protect the skin from UV damage after 32 days of daily use. Plus, melons are known to be high in antioxidants, which Dr. Henry recommends loading up on if you’re trying to rid yourself of oxidative stress.

Hydroxytyrosol

To continue the hard-to-pronounce ingredient trend, this one is naturally found in olive extract (and also found in Dabbly™ shots)—and according to a clinical trial it’s been shown to help manage oxidative stress. Additionally, several lab studies have shown hydroxytrosol to help against oxidative stress that results from UV damage. Plus, olives have vitamin E, which studies say reduce the risk (and help in the prevention and treatment) of conditions mediated by free radicals. Oxidative stress? Don’t even know her.

Vitamins C + E

Now, we already have a basic understanding of what vitamin E can do for your skin (re: its role as a potent radical-scavenging antioxidant). But, what about vitamin C? Vitamins C and E  are essential nutrients with antioxidant activity, according to Dr. Henry, and vitamin C also helps maintain skin health through its essential role in collagen (a major structural protein) synthesis.

So, why do they need one another? Vitamin C can help recover vitamin E so that it can work longer. Essentially, they’re the one-two punch for managing oxidative stress.

Admit it: Edible sun care isn’t nearly as out-there as you may have initially thought. So if you’re looking to amp up your skin care (while simultaneously satisfying your snack cravings), you know what to do.

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, nor are Dabbly products substitutes for sunscreen.

Sponsored by Dabbly

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