Internal Sunscreen: Glowing From the Inside Out

Focus: Functional Medicine & Nutrition

We spend so much time worrying about what we put on our skin, but have you thought about what you put in it? As a holistic doc, I view the skin as a giant mirror reflecting your internal gut health.

Sun sensitivity is often a sign of internal inflammation. When your "histamine bucket" is full or your gut is leaky, your skin is much more likely to react to UV rays with rashes or easy burning. By flooding your system with "photoprotective" nutrients, you’re essentially building an internal parasol.

We’re looking for high-vibe, colorful foods:

• Lycopene from cooked tomatoes acts like a natural shield.

• Astaxanthin (the stuff that makes salmon pink) is like an internal SPF.

• Omega-3s keep your skin membranes supple and resilient.

Hippie Tip: Eat the rainbow, literally. The more pigments you consume, the more diverse your antioxidant armor becomes. Combine your morning sunshine (which we need for Vitamin D!) with a diet rich in healthy fats and vibrant berries. Let your glow be a result of your vitality, not just your lotion.