Sunscreen pills are fake medicine, and potentially dangerous

It can be hard to remember to do things we know are good for us, like apply sunscreen before we hit the beach for the day. That’s exactly why we’re always on the prowl for a quick fix, and also why we need to make sure you hear this loud and clear before you hit the pool this summer: sunscreen pills are fake medicine and do not work.

Sunscreens can be expensive — especially if you want to buy an all-natural one that’s safer for the environment and your skin — making it more costly to work it into your daily routine. Like we said: We get it. But sunscreen pills are way too good to be true. This week, Dr. Scott Gottlieb from the Food and Drug Administration issued a statement warning consumers. He stated,

“There’s no pill or capsule that can protect your skin from the sun.”

Gottlieb added that the FDA sent cease and desist letters to companies, including Advanced Skin Brightening Formula, Sunsafe Rx, Solaricare, and Sunergetic, that have been hawking these products. These brands promise that their products protect consumers, but they can actually hurt them.

Gottlieb added that these companies are “putting people’s health at risk by giving consumers a false sense of security that a dietary supplement could prevent sunburn, reduce early skin aging caused by the sun, or protect from the risks of skin cancer.”

You should feel comfortable getting your sunscreen over the counter at a drugstore. The products there are approved by the FDA and have been proven to actually protect you from harmful UV rays. You should also remember that if you want to protect yourself from skin cancer and wrinkles, you should be routinely applying sunscreen before you leave the house . Think about it — we spend so much time and money on our skin care routines, but leaving out SPF undoes all the good we can do.

There are tons of different sunscreens out there and one is bound to be your fave. But make sure it’s topical, because swallowing a pill will do nothing for you.

 

Originally created from here.

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