Do Sunscreen Pills Protect Your Skin From the Sun’s Harmful Rays?
Key takeaways:
Taking a sunscreen pill alone has not been conclusively proved to be safe and effective for sun protection.
Polypodium leucotomos is the active ingredient in sunscreen pills, believed to enhance the body's defense against UV damage.
A comprehensive sun protection strategy involves a combination of measures, including using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding the sun during peak hours.
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What if taking a pill were all it took to stay safe from the sun? Sunscreen pills are a new development in sun protection technology. They appeal to the masses by marketing sun safety without the need for oily creams and sticky sprays.
But how do sunscreen pills work, and will they really protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays? Let’s find out.
What are sunscreen pills?
Sunscreen pills contain the active ingredient polypodium leucotomos (PL). This is a type of tropical fern prevalent in Central and South America.
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To understand how PL works, it's important to know how the sun and ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the skin. Here is how it happens:
UV light, which is a type of invisible light that radiates from the sun, comes into contact with your skin.
When UV rays interact with molecules in the skin, they begin breaking down certain chemical bonds.
Eventually, these chemical bonds break. That creates a byproduct called reactive oxygen species (ROS). One type of ROS is a free radical. This is a molecule that is unstable and very reactive.
Free radicals trigger a chain reaction called oxidation that damages DNA and proteins. This damage can cause aging, inflammation, and even skin cancer.
PL works by enhancing the body’s ability to fight against oxidation. This decreases DNA damage and mutations caused by the sun.
Do sunscreen pills actually prevent sunburn?
Based on what we know so far, it’s best to assume sunscreen pills alone won’t protect you from the sun. There isn’t currently enough research to determine if sunscreen pills are an effective sun protection method.
Of the research we do have, one sunscreen pill study asked 40 participants to take a supplement containing 240 mg of PL. After participants took two pills a day for 60 days, the sunscreen pills reduced damage from UV radiation. But keep in mind that this study only included people with skin tones ranging from white to light brown. The study was also funded by the popular sunscreen pill brand Heliocare.
Despite these potentially promising findings, more research and studies are needed. Beth Goldstein, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon, and founder of Modern Ritual Health, shared her thoughts with GoodRx Health.
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“It would not seem ethical to randomize susceptible individuals into ‘no topical protection’ vs. ‘only-oral protection’ [groups],” she explained about studying sunscreen pills. She said it’s more likely that experts will study pills as a supplement to a typical sun protection program.
Risk factors to consider before taking sunscreen pills
The most concerning side effect of sunscreen pills is a false sense of security. A 2018 statement by the FDA urged consumers to take caution. The statement warned, “There’s no pill or capsule that can replace your sunscreen.” Relying on oral sunscreen pills alone puts you at risk for sun damage, it concluded.
In addition, sunscreen pills are considered a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA. So it’s difficult to determine if the sunscreen pills you buy have enough active ingredients to be effective.
The risk of sun damage aside, there aren’t many known side effects of sunscreen pills. A 2015 status report did report mild effects on a small group of people. The most common symptoms were itching or mild gastrointestinal upset.
Allison Leer, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Unity Skincare. She told GoodRx that she hasn’t seen any evidence or widespread reports of negative side effects of oral sunscreen pills.
But Goldstein said there are groups that should be especially cautious with sunscreen pills.
Children: Children have different responses to medications and supplements, Goldstein said. Adult safety with supplements such as sunscreen pills does not correlate to child safety.
Pregnant and nursing women: There is no safety data currently for this population.
Anyone with a history of allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to PL: Prevent additional reactions by avoiding sunscreen pills.
Anyone with a medical condition: Discuss with your healthcare provider if any of your medical conditions may make taking a sunscreen pill unsafe.
Anyone taking other medications: Have all your medications and supplements reviewed by a medical provider or pharmacist to ensure there are no reactions or safety concerns. Even supplements can interact with your medications.
How to properly protect your skin from sun damage
Years of sun exposure without proper protection leads to sun damage. It can also lead to skin cancer. So, prevention is key. And that means more than just sunscreen pills.
Here is what experts and dermatologists recommend for a full sun safety program.
Avoid direct sunlight when possible
The sun is at its strongest from 10AM to 4PM. Stay in the shade or go inside during peak hours when possible.
Use protective clothing
Wearing ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) clothing, sunglasses, and hats is an effective sun protection method.
Wear and reapply sunscreen
The CDC recommends reapplying sunscreen of at least SPF 15 about every 2 hours. If you wear makeup, there are powder or spray sunscreen formulations you can try to help protect your face.
The bottom line
UV light causes sun damage by disrupting the body’s DNA. This can result in sunburns, signs of aging, and skin cancer. To prove that sunscreen pills work by themselves to protect against the sun, more research is necessary. Use multiple methods of sun protection. This includes staying out of direct sunlight, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreen. Sun protection technology may improve in the future to make it easier to prevent UV damage and skin cancer.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2022). Practice safe sun.
Berman, B., et al. (2016). Polypodium leucotomos - an overview of basic investigative findings. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Skin cancer: Sun safety.
Cutaneous Melanoma: Etiology and Therapy. (n.d.). Chapter 6, clinical presentation and staging of melanoma: Table 1 Fitzpatrick classification of skin types I through VI.
D’Orazio, J., et al. (2013). UV radiation and the skin. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Nestor, M. S., et al. (2015). Safety and efficacy of oral polypodium leucotomos extract in healthy adult subjects. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2018). Sun exposure - recommendations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). Statement from FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on new FDA actions to keep consumers safe from the harmful effects of sun exposure, and ensure the long-term safety and benefits of sunscreens.
Winkelmann, R. R., et al. (2015). Polypodium leucotomos extract: A status report on clinical efficacy and safety. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
