Discover the Sun-Friendly Diet!

L’été est bien là, avec son lot de journées ensoleillées et la recherche d’une peau parfaitement hâlée. Si l’écran total reste indispensable face aux rayons du soleil, adopter une alimentation spéciale soleil est également une bonne option. On vous révèle tous les secrets d’une peau bien préparée pour l’été !

Why Prepare Your Skin for Sun Exposure?

Because the sun’s UV rays can be harmful! While they are essential for the synthesis of vitamin D and can positively influence our mood, UV radiation can also have a negative impact on your skin.

Let’s take a closer look! There are 3 types of ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun: UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVA and UVB rays are the ones that have an impact on our skin.

Excessive exposure to UVA rays can alter the very structure of skin cells by affecting collagen and elastin. More generally, these ultraviolet rays are also responsible for oxidative stress. Oxidative stress leads to the production of oxidizing compounds known as free radicals. Beyond a certain level, an excess of free radicals can have undesirable effects on the skin, for example by accelerating its aging. How can free radicals be counteracted? With antioxidants!

UVB rays are responsible for tanning by stimulating the production of melanin. However, they are also the cause of sunburn. During prolonged sun exposure, these rays can damage DNA fragments within skin cells. These fragments are then released between the cells, triggering the body's natural defense response. An inflammatory reaction occurs to repair the damage and remove the affected cells. This is what causes the redness and pain associated with sunburn.

Vitamins and Minerals for Sun Care

Getting enough antioxidants to help fight free radicals is the key to preparing your skin for sun exposure. What could be better than carotenoids? These pigments are well known for enhancing skin tone, but above all for their antioxidant properties. Among them is beta-carotene, also known as provitamin A. Beta-carotene also has a valuable photoprotective effect, helping to prepare the skin for sun exposure.

Carotenoids are not the only nutrients that can help protect the skin from the effects of the sun. Other vitamins and minerals also play a protective role against oxidative stress. These include the well-known vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, copper, and zinc.

Carotenoids are not the only nutrients that help protect the skin from the effects of the sun. Other vitamins and minerals also play a protective role against oxidative stress. These include the well-known vitamin C, as well as vitamin E, copper, and zinc.

The Sun-Friendly Diet

Vitamin C is naturally found in many summer fruits and vegetables, such as melon, strawberries, and currants. Because it is sensitive to heat and light, we recommend eating fresh raw fruits and vegetables soon after they are prepared rather than leaving them for an extended period before consumption.

Vitamin C is naturally found in many summer fruits and vegetables, including melon, strawberries, and currants. Because it is sensitive to heat and light, we recommend eating fresh raw fruits and vegetables shortly after they are prepared rather than preparing them well in advance.

A sun-friendly diet should ideally begin around 3 weeks before sun exposure. If you want to maximize your chances of achieving a healthy-looking tan, you may also consider dietary supplementation—an ideal alternative to eating carrots all day long! In any case, using appropriate sun protection and limiting excessive sun exposure remain essential to protect your skin and preserve your skin’s natural defenses.

A sun-friendly diet should ideally begin around 3 weeks before sun exposure. If you want to maximize your chances of achieving a healthy-looking tan, you may consider dietary supplementation—an ideal alternative to eating carrots all day long! In any case, using appropriate sun protection and enjoying the sun in moderation remain essential to protect your skin and preserve your skin’s natural defenses.

Sources: French Academy of Medicine Dictionary, 2019 – Ciqual, 2019