The US skincare market is expected to reach $11 billion (BD4bn) by next year, proving that people are more than willing to pay to keep their skin healthy and looking youthful.
But expert advice on how to maintain good skin has not changed much over the years... Apply sun cream and apply it liberally when you are out in the sun!
However, many of us, even with the knowledge of what the sun’s effects can do, for one reason or another, are reluctant or hesitant to use sun cream.
Research indicates that people are not very consistent when it comes to applying anything topically.
Researchers from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that only about 14 per cent of men and 30pc of women report regularly using sunscreen on their faces and bodies.
“What is more, the average person who uses sunscreen applies only a fraction of what is needed to protect their skin: one-fourth to one-half the recommended amount sunscreen,” says Raja Sivamani, assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of California Davis.
So what if, instead of coating oneself in a cream that blocks the sun, one could drink a liquid that does the same job?
Well it seems that there is such a product!
The UVO, a drinkable sunblock developed by dermatologist Bobby Awadalla does precisely that.
It protects a person from sun damage for three to five hours, depending on the individual’s skin tone and ability to absorb the vitamins.
And if, like me, you are not truly convinced by this product then perhaps you should drink green tea instead!
“Studies have shown that eating or drinking certain compounds, including tomato paste and green tea, can give you some protection from burning,” says Jessica Wu, a Los Angeles dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California School of Medicine.
UVO contains antioxidants including lycopene, found in tomatoes, and polypodium leucotomos, a fern extract, both of which have some UV protecting effects.
“I think the science is still early and we have to be careful before we talk about replacing tried and true methods,” says Sivamani.
“If it’s a bright day, summer or winter, it is a good idea to use sunscreen whenever you are outdoors.”
And, if you are still not convinced, you can always stick to the hat or umbrella!