Beyond Sunscreen: How Skin Health Supplements Can Help Support Your Skin’s Natural Defences
When we think about protecting our skin from the visible effects of sun exposure, sunscreen is usually the first thing that comes to mind — and for good reason. Daily SPF remains one of the most important steps for healthy skin aging.
But research continues to show that skin protection may also come from within.
Scientists have been studying how certain natural ingredients, particularly carotenoids, help support the skin’s natural antioxidant defenses against environmental stressors like UV exposure and pollution. These compounds, found naturally in colourful fruits and vegetables, appear to play an important role in maintaining skin resilience over time.1
What Are Carotenoids?
Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for the vibrant red, orange, and yellow colours found in foods like tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, watermelon, and leafy greens.
Beyond their colour, carotenoids are known for their antioxidant activity. Research suggests they can help neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure and other environmental stressors.2
Some of the best-known carotenoids include:
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
- Astaxanthin
- Lycopene
- Beta-carotene
These compounds accumulate naturally in the skin, where they become part of the skin’s antioxidant defense network.2
The Connection Between UV Exposure and Skin Aging
Sun exposure is one of the primary external contributors to visible skin aging. Over time, UV radiation can increase oxidative stress in the skin, contributing to the appearance of:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Uneven tone
- Loss of elasticity
- Dryness
- Visible redness
Research also shows that UV exposure can deplete the skin’s natural antioxidant reserves — including carotenoids themselves. 2
That’s why many scientists now view skin protection as a multi-layered approach that includes both topical protection and ingestible support.
How Skin Health Supplements May Help
Clinical research on carotenoids has shown promising effects in helping support the skin’s natural resistance to UV-induced stress. Studies have observed benefits related to:
- Supporting the skin’s antioxidant defenses
- Helping reduce sensitivity to UV-induced redness
- Supporting skin hydration and elasticity
- Helping defend against oxidative stress associated with environmental exposure1
Importantly, these benefits appear to build gradually over time with consistent intake, rather than acting as an immediate replacement for sunscreen. Researchers emphasize that ingestible photoprotection should complement, not replace, topical sun protection practices.
A More Complete Approach to Healthy Skin Aging
Healthy skin aging isn’t just about reacting to visible changes after they appear. Increasingly, the conversation is shifting toward supporting the skin proactively, helping it stay resilient, healthy-looking, and supported over time.
That’s where a holistic routine can make a difference:
- Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen
- Varied diet including antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables
- Hydration
- Sleep and stress management
- Targeted supplementation
Where RENEW + PROTECT Fits In
At Bend Beauty, we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall wellness and longevity.
RENEW + PROTECT was formulated to help support healthy skin aging from within by providing clinically studied antioxidants (lutein and zeaxanthin) and skin-supportive ingredients, omega-3s EPA+DHA, omega-6 GLA, and vitamin D, designed to help defend against environmental oxidative stress and support overall skin hydration, elasticity, firmness and vitality.
Rather than replacing topical skincare, ingestible skincare works alongside your daily routine to help nourish and support the skin at a deeper level.
Because healthy-looking skin isn’t just about appearance, it’s a reflection of how well your skin is supported over time.
The Bottom Line
Sunscreen remains essential. But science increasingly suggests that supporting your skin internally may also play an important role in maintaining healthy skin function and resilience as you age.
A nutrient-rich diet, combined with specialized skin health supplements like RENEW + PROTECT, can help form a more comprehensive approach to skin wellness, one that supports both how skin looks and how it functions over time. 1
References:
1. 1. Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Weir, C., Salter-Venzon, D., Gellenbeck, K. W., Leverett, J., & Krutmann, J. (2021). Role of ingestible carotenoids in skin protection: A review of clinical evidence. Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 37(6), 490–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpp.12690
2. Flieger, J., Raszewska-Famielec, M., Radzikowska-Büchner, E., & Flieger, W. (2024). Skin Protection by Carotenoid Pigments. International journal of molecular sciences, 25(3), 1431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031431
