News research by supplement and nutritional group Lycored has unearthed a demand for ingestible sun care products among active consumers.
Of the active consumers surveyed, nine in ten (89%) said they liked the idea of taking a supplement that would protect their skin from sun damage.
Meanwhile, respondents were even more enthusiastic (91%) about the idea of a hybrid supplement combining skin support with other benefits, such as antioxidation.
“It’s important for all of us to look after our skin and this need is heightened when we exercise outdoors,” said Zev Ziegler, VP of Brand and Marketing at Lycored.
“Sun-aware behaviour, in particular the use of sunscreen, is the best protection strategy and ingestible sun care is no substitute.
“However, there is a growing body of evidence that nutrients such as beta-carotene and lycopene can offer additional environmental stress benefits.”
Of the physically active consumers measured, avoiding skin damage while exercising outside was a concern for 63% of respondents, ahead of avoiding muscular injury (53%) and health concerns (51%).
Around 70% said they had experienced sun damage on their skin, such as sunburn on their skin, at some point when exercising outside.
“It’s natural that physically active consumers love the idea of supplements that can promote a healthier relationship with the sun,” added Ziegler.
To date, there are a handful of supplements on the beauty scene that claim to protect consumers from the damaging effects of UV.
Heliocare’s Antioxidant Supplements claim to strengthen immunity while enhancing UV protection; while French direct-to-consumer nutricosmetics start-up D+ For Care launched its Aloha Prepare and Repair beauty supplements duo in June 2020, designed to prepare and repair skin before and after spending time in the sun.