Its a really attractive idea, which explains why its all over TikTok.

Too bad it doesnt actually work.

Can we quit it with the sunscreen is toxic bullshit already?

As Ive written before, this is not some kind of sensible risk management messaging.Its complete nonsense.

The harms of UV exposure are concrete and well-documented.

This stuff is absolutelynoton the level of avoid sunscreen because its bad for you.

You dont have to take it from me.

Sometimes theyll recommend a specific supplement.

Has this actually been tested in humans?

How much protection does the food or supplement give you, and how was that measured?

Does the protection start working immediately, and if not, how long does it take?

Does the effectiveness vary from person to person?

What are the downsides to the food or supplement when used in the recommended dosage?

For actual, FDA-approved sunscreens, there are answers to all of these questions.

For the foods recommended on TikTok, there are not.

After 10 weeks, they showed less reddening of the skin in response to exposure to a UV lamp.

But pay attention to what the studydidntfind.

It doesnt tell us what results people with lighter or darker skin tones would get.

And, most importantly, it only found that the people who used tomato paste gotlessreddening of the skin.

The tomato pastedidnt completely prevent sunburn.

The TikTokers are talking about these foods as if they are magic potions, or get-out-of-sunburn-free cards.

Even the most promising studies dont back that up.

And so it is with these allegedly sunburn-preventing supplements.

The hot one right now is Heliocare, whichof course has a brand affiliate program.

Its made from a fern calledPolypodium leucotomos, andthere is actually research(!)

supporting the idea that itmayhelpa little bitto lessen sunburn.

But, as with the tomato studies, the results are at the hmm, kind of interesting level.

This isnt something that will let you ditch your sunscreen if youre being at all responsible about it.

If you take three pills per day, that $34.99 bottle will only last you 20 days.

Im not seeing the advantage over just applying sunscreen normally.