A plant-based drink might boost skin’s sun defense Original paper
In this 8-week randomized controlled trial in 54 fair-skinned adults, a plant extract and vitamin syrup increased the amount of UV exposure needed to produce burning and decreased skin redness, compared to a placebo.
This Study Summary was published on June 10, 2025.
The study
The syrup contained 300 mg of Polypodium leucotomos extract, 100 mg of red-orange extract, and vitamins A, C, D and E. All of these ingredients have evidence that they can help counteract the damage from UV exposure.
By week 8, it took 24% more UV exposure to produce skin redness, which indicates greater UV protection, and the intensity of skin redness after UV exposure fell by 46% compared to the placebo.
The study was partially funded by the supplement company that provided the syrup.
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The results
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This Study Summary was published on June 10, 2025.
References
- ^S González, M A Pathak, J Cuevas, V G Villarrubia, T B FitzpatrickTopical or Oral Administration With an Extract of Polypodium Leucotomos Prevents Acute Sunburn and Psoralen-Induced Phototoxic Reactions as Well as Depletion of Langerhans Cells in Human SkinPhotodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed.(Feb-Apr 1997)