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Skin Care Q & A: Can Food Prevent Sunburn?

05/28/2008

Just about everyone who is concerned with their health enough to use natural skin care products knows there are certain foods that promote healthy skin. But did you know there are also foods that contain chemicals that make our skin more or less sensitive to the sun’s damaging rays? Find out what foods you should and shouldn’t eat prior to a day in the sun and which foods to add or delete from your summer skin care routine.

Although it’s not unusual to see warnings on drug labels that advise we stay out of the sun while taking the drug, we’re not likely to see similar warnings on the labels of lemonade. Nevertheless, the label would be correct: Lemonade can increase photosensitivity if it contains lemon oil from rind. The same is true of orange juice and limeade. However, fresh citrus juices, without the oil, are high in antioxidants and can therefore lower the risk of sun damage.

By the way, if you’re thinking of turning that orange juice into a screwdriver or the limeade into a margarita, you should know that alcohol contains chemicals that make us more sensitive to the sun. It also causes dehydration – not advisable for good skin care indoors or out.

If you’re going for a tall, cool ice tea, stick with black or green tea. Green tea is especially high in antioxidants and is a good addition to your skin care routine at any time of the year. Definitely on the no-no list is Earl Grey. That distinctive flavor is from a citrus extract known as Oil of Bergamot. This oil is also used is many quick tan lotions, by the way. After studying its effects, researchers at the University of British Columbia concluded it was so dangerous you shouldn’t even get into a swimming pool if others have been using it.

Next is the summer salad: While many vegetables are high in antioxidants and can help prevent sun damage, some of the most common salad ingredients increase photosensitivity. The worst culprits are carrots, celery, parsley, dill and fennel. However, go heavy on the eggs and tomatoes. Fruit salads are also good sun damage fighters, especially if they contain strawberries, cantaloupes and apricots. Nuts are also becoming more popular in salads – and they’ll also help with the sun.

Last but not least is ice cream but don’t worry – the only photosensitive ingredient you have to worry about is vanilla. Have at it with the other flavors.

One more word about chemicals in the sun: Most sunscreens, moisturizers and other skin care products can also increase photosensitivity; Chief among them is mineral oil and other petroleum-based products. The moisturizers can be replaced with a good shielding lotion – it not only locks in natural moisture instead of just coating your skin with something slick, it also helps prevent the absorption of the chemicals in sunscreens.

Summers never seem to be long enough. To avoid sunburn so you can enjoy every minute, change your diet a little to accommodate the photosensitivity factor. And remember that a good summer skin care treatment routine, as with every season, starts on the inside.

Technorati Tags: skin care, skin care treatment, natural skin care, shielding lotion

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