Carotenoid supplement: sun preparation, tanning

Solar Prep Formula is a natural, comprehensive and particularly effective sun preparation supplement.

It contains 30 tanning capsules combining carotenoids and antioxidants specifically designed to play both a ‘self-tanning’ and protective role.

This sun care supplement is part of our Skin category.

3 key benefits of our carotenoid-rich tanning capsules

Containing a range of synergistic ingredients, Solar Prep Formula is specifically designed to help prepare the skin for exposure to the sun, protect it from UV-induced damage and make it easier to achieve a long-lasting tan.

It offers 3 key benefits:

• a natural ‘self-tanning’ effect: first and foremost, our product is rich in carotenoids, a group of plant pigments which accumulate in the skin and give it an amber glow. They help you quickly acquire a beautiful, natural, tanned complexion (even without exposure to the sun), an excellent base for future tanning (1);
• advanced protection against UV and oxidative stress: when the skin is exposed to the sun, numerous UVA and UVB rays reach cells, creating oxidative stress which can impair cell health and skin repair. Boosting your antioxidant levels (courtesy of Nutroxsun®, vitamin E...) before and during tanning helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays and keeps it healthy. The carotenoids in our supplement are also being studied for their potential photoprotective benefits: antioxidant effects, partial absorption of blue light and UV, reduction of inflammation, wrinkles and ageing spots (2) ;
• overall support for skin health and tanning: many of the ingredients in Solar Prep Formula (zinc, biotin, vitamin A, nicotinamide) also provide general skin health support (hydration, maintaining the skin barrier, etc), facilitating the tanning process, and enhancing and prolonging your tan.

Composition of our sun preparation supplement

To provide you with all these benefits, Solar Prep Formula contains no less than 9 carefully-selected ingredients:

1. beta-carotene: beta-carotene, here extracted from carrots, is the best-known of all the carotenoids. It is particularly good at producing a tanned complexion, even prior to any sun exposure. This compound is actually converted in the gut into retinol, an active form of vitamin A which helps maintain healthy skin. This vitamin promotes production of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colouration. Scientists also suggest that taking beta-carotene in a preventive capacity might protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV and increase the minimum amount of UV exposure tolerated before sunburn occurs (3-4);
2. lutein : lutein is another carotenoid which helps provide colour to various fruit and vegetables such as peppers, grapes and citrus fruit, and which can also brighten your complexion. According to one randomised, double-blind clinical trial, supplementing with lutein could increase Minimal Erythema Dose - individual resistance to the development of UV-induced skin erythema (redness) (5). The lutein in our product comes from a marigold extract, a plant with brightly-coloured flowers;
3. lycopene: lycopene is the third and final carotenoid in our product. It is responsible for the vibrant colour of papaya, grapefruit and guava and can also help you achieve a golden skin colour. Lycopene is also being studied for its potential to protect the skin against UV rays. The impact on UVB-irradiated keratinocytes (the cells covering the skin) may actually be lower if lycopene is already present (6-7) ;
4. Nutroxsun®: Nutroxsun® is a patented mix of rosemary and grapefruit extracts, standardised to 35% polyphenols. Both are abundant in antioxidant polyphenols which help protect cells and tissues against oxidative stress. A proprietary clinical study suggests that the combination of these two synergistic substances constitutes an effective ingredient for oral photoprotection, reducing the risk of skin problems and in particular, photoageing (8) ;
5. SOD: superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme produced by the cells of all living animal and plant organisms. This powerful endogenous antioxidant traps free radicals generated by the body due to UV exposure, amongst others. In this way, it naturally protects the body’s cells against oxidative damage, reducing skin damage, for example. Plant-based SOD is frequently offered in treatments and supplements (9-10) ;
6. zinc bisglycinate: zinc is an essential trace-element which helps maintain healthy skin by reducing inflammation and supporting immunity. It also helps protect cells against oxidative stress due mainly to sun exposure. Zinc bisglycinate is formed from one atom of zinc bound to two molecules of glycine, which facilitates its absorption in the digestive system. It is generally considered to be the most bioavailable form of zinc (11-12) ;
7. vitamin B3 (nicotinamide): nicotinamide (also called niacinamide) is a form of vitamin B3 or niacin. This vitamin helps maintain healthy skin by supporting cell regeneration in particular. Unlike nicotinic acid, the other form of niacin, nicotinamide is particularly well-tolerated by the skin and does not cause ‘flushes’ (redness and unpleasant heat sensations). It is also being studied for its potential to protect the body against immunosuppression which can be caused by UV rays (13) ;
8. biotin: biotin, also known as vitamin B8 or the ‘beauty vitamin’, helps maintain normal skin and mucous membranes by supporting the production of lipids essential for maintaining the skin barrier (14). Excellent for maintaining beautiful skin conducive to achieving a long-lasting tan ;
9. vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate) : vitamin E helps protect cells against oxidative stress caused by UV rays (15-16). DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate is an esterified version of vitamin E, which gives it extra protection against oxidation and prolongs its shelf life.

Note: taking our tanning capsules does not mean you can dispense with either using sunscreens or wearing protective clothing when exposed to the sun.