Oral Supplementation for Sun Protection

This article will outline the current evidence for the use of oral supplementation with carotenoids, vitamins, and botanicals for sun protection. While there is an emphasis on clinical studies in this article, some in vitro studies are mentioned to give background information and mechanistic explanations on the supplements discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Review which carotenoids, vitamins, and botanicals along with their chemical compounds are responsible for their sun protective actions
• Summarize the mechanism of action on how these supplements protect against sun damage
• Summarize the clinical findings on the sun protective effects of specific carotenoids, vitamins, and botanicals 
• Review the doses of the supplements used in clinical research and the food sources high in these compounds