Sunscreen Pill

Has anyone heard of or used a product called Heliocare? I was told about it by a friend who gives it to her children. She says that they don't have to use sunscreen after taking it for a couple of months. They have a pool and use it regularly and they don't get sunburned. I did a little research and it is a natural fern extract that has been used in the UK for over 20 years with no known side effects. I have decided to try it, but wanted feedback from anyone who is familiar with it.

Anything that sounds too good to be true.......

I would have to do some major research before I would consider giving this to my kids. Often times, we are fooled by claims of a product being "all natural." There are lots of plants and herbs out there that are extremely dangerous to kids. As far as the UK goes, they currently have the highest incidence of Autism in the world.

While I appreciate the info, something about this just doesn't feel right to me.

I recently read about Heliocare in Women's Day magazine and really want to follow-up on this. My husband & I just had a reaction to the sunscreen and/or sun this weekend. I'm willing to try anything that is safe and has no side effects. If Heliocare is a safe product, it sure would be a great alternative to lathering up 4 kids everyday!!!
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I tried to do some research on this product and as is the case with many supplements there is scant unbiased information. From what I can gather it is not intended to be a substitute for topical products, rather it is promoted as a free radical scavenger that protects the deeper layer of skin from damage following sun exposure. That is a good theory as I was once advised by a dermatologist to pop an aspirin when I anticipated prolonged sun exposure. No doubt fern extract will be much more appealing to a certain set of consumers, however at $1 a pill for Heliocare (that looks to be the going cost roughly), I wonder if that is a wise consumer choice when hundreds of aspirins can be obtained for a few dollars. Additionally, you know what you are paying for with an aspirin as this product's manufacture is overseen by the FDA while Heliocare will no doubt be marketed as a supplement and not be subjected to FDA scrutiny. Time will tell.

Ya gotta pill for tourist? Would it be a Dumbupper or a Dumbdowner?

Ya gotta pill for tourist? Would it be a Dumbupper or a Dumbdowner?

Hey wait just a second there mister....we aren't all dumb.

I tried to do some research on this product and as is the case with many supplements there is scant unbiased information. From what I can gather it is not intended to be a substitute for topical products, rather it is promoted as a free radical scavenger that protects the deeper layer of skin from damage following sun exposure. That is a good theory as I was once advised by a dermatologist to pop an aspirin when I anticipated prolonged sun exposure. No doubt fern extract will be much more appealing to a certain set of consumers, however at $1 a pill for Heliocare (that looks to be the going cost roughly), I wonder if that is a wise consumer choice when hundreds of aspirins can be obtained for a few dollars. Additionally, you know what you are paying for with an aspirin as this product's manufacture is overseen by the FDA while Heliocare will no doubt be marketed as a supplement and not be subjected to FDA scrutiny. Time will tell.

Skunky, you please explain to me exactly what taking an aspirin does for the skin?

Aspirin reduces inflammation, as do anti-oxidants. I think what Skunky is trying to say is that the benefits claimed for Heliocare (that it prevents deep tissue damage) are available at a much better price by taking a pre-emptive aspirin in the morning and a vitamin supplement at night.

Oh, and I think he's also warning you that if you give Heliocare to your kids and then send them out into the SoWal sun without any topical sunscreen, someone is going to have to report you to Child Protective Services.

I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen. I've yet to find a product labelled natural/organic/mineral, etc. that didn't contain chemical sunscreen in SoWal. Not even at the organic and health food stores. I wish someone would invent a sunscreen pill, but I don't think this is a real alternative. Maybe in England, where the climate itself does an excellent job of protecting a peaches and cream complexion -- but not here.

Aspirin reduces inflammation, as do anti-oxidants. I think what Skunky is trying to say is that the benefits claimed for Heliocare (that it prevents deep tissue damage) are available at a much better price by taking a pre-emptive aspirin in the morning and a vitamin supplement at night.

Oh, and I think he's also warning you that if you give Heliocare to your kids and then send them out into the SoWal sun without any topical sunscreen, someone is going to have to report you to Child Protective Services.

I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen. I've yet to find a product labelled natural/organic/mineral, etc. that didn't contain chemical sunscreen in SoWal. Not even at the organic and health food stores. I wish someone would invent a sunscreen pill, but I don't think this is a real alternative. Maybe in England, where the climate itself does an excellent job of protecting a peaches and cream complexion -- but not here.

Thank you Punzy!!!!

Skunky, you please explain to me exactly what taking an aspirin does for the skin?

Aspirin is an antioxidant. My understanding is that sun damage to the skin is in large part due to free radicals created by UV radiation exposure. In theory aspirin would provide anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant protection. I don't know if there is any firm evidence for this, however.

Aspirin reduces inflammation, as do anti-oxidants. I think what Skunky is trying to say is that the benefits claimed for Heliocare (that it prevents deep tissue damage) are available at a much better price by taking a pre-emptive aspirin in the morning and a vitamin supplement at night.

Oh, and I think he's also warning you that if you give Heliocare to your kids and then send them out into the SoWal sun without any topical sunscreen, someone is going to have to report you to Child Protective Services.

I'm allergic to chemical sunscreen. I've yet to find a product labelled natural/organic/mineral, etc. that didn't contain chemical sunscreen in SoWal. Not even at the organic and health food stores. I wish someone would invent a sunscreen pill, but I don't think this is a real alternative. Maybe in England, where the climate itself does an excellent job of protecting a peaches and cream complexion -- but not here.

Punzy, I found this while doing some research.

http://www.puresunscreen.com/

Punzy, I found this while doing some research.

http://www.puresunscreen.com/

And another (my fair-skinned, fair-haired niece told me about)

http://www.californiababy.com/belly-featured-spf-30-sunscreen-everyday-year-round-2-9-oz.html

The Pure Sunscreen product might work, but California Baby does irritate my skin. The vast majority of people with sensitive skin can tolerate chemical sunscreen.

I do have a couple of recommendations for people who have break-outs after using sunscreen --

Dr. Hauschka --
http://www.drhauschka.com/holistic-products/sun-care/details.aspx?id=160&product=Sunscreen+Cream+for+Children+and+Sensitive+Skin+SPF+30+-+
It's very pure, but never dries. It remains a greasy cream sitting on your skin, and rubbing off on everything. It's been my choice for years, but now I just use it for my chest and back.

PTR Powder Sunscreen --
http://ordway.com/ordway12-15/ptr/peterthomasroth_products.asp?prod=sunblocks
This stuff is such a godsend. It is powder, so if you have on make-up and find yourself in the sun you can put it right on top. It also doesn't feel greasy, so it's great for your face on the beach. It does sort of look like heavy matte drag queen make-up, but it's so much better than white greasy goop.

http://www.uvnatural.com/
UV Naturals is among the best pure sunscreens IMO. It's super, super expensive though. Like $30 a bottle. I use JASON and Desert Essences usually, but if I could afford UV Naturals I would buy it, especially for the kids.

Hey wait just a second there mister....we aren't all dumb

your exempt

your exempt

Thank you. ;-)

Punzy--Have you tried aspirin yet? I'm interested in this...

I think I'll take one of these pills and chase it with an Enzyte and a Cortisol! I'll have more herbs in me than the potpuri section of a Bedroom, Baths, and Beyond store!

Often times, we are fooled by claims of a product being "all natural." There are lots of plants and herbs out there that are extremely dangerous to kids. As far as the UK goes, they currently have the highest incidence of Autism in the world.

Not sure where you get this data from. I doubt it myself, since the record keeping of such matters in most of the Developing World is likely to be patchy at best.

But IF it is true, as I say a very big if, then this is likely to be due to wider reasons of public policy. The UK offers very generous welfare benefits to those with learning disabilities and there is therefore a great financial incentive to classify as many people as possible. In the UK just under under one in a hundred is classified as autistic and therefore eligible for benefits. 0.9% of the population as I recall.

There is also the classification issue. Autism is often lumped together with other categories of disability, for example Aspergers. Are the classifications between nations comparable? Are we comparing apples with apples?

Of one thing I think we can be pretty certain, however. It is HIGHLY unlikely (and there is certainly no evidence) that the allegedly abnormally high incidences of autism in the UK are due to the natives chewing local plants and herbs.

In an attempt to get a suntan or otherwise.

Not sure where you get this data from. I doubt it myself, since the record keeping of such matters in most of the Developing World is likely to be patchy at best.

But IF it is true, as I say a very big if, then this is likely to be due to wider reasons of public policy. The UK offers very generous welfare benefits to those with learning disabilities and there is therefore a great financial incentive to classify as many people as possible. In the UK just under under one in a hundred is classified as autistic and therefore eligible for benefits. 0.9% of the population as I recall.

There is also the classification issue. Autism is often lumped together with other categories of disability, for example Aspergers. Are the classifications between nations comparable? Are we comparing apples with apples?

Of one thing I think we can be pretty certain, however. It is HIGHLY unlikely (and there is certainly no evidence) that the allegedly abnormally high incidences of autism in the UK are due to the natives chewing local plants and herbs.

In an attempt to get a suntan or otherwise.

Good goobly goo. Talk about taking a post out of context.

Have a good one.

Heliocare

Researchers at Harvard Medical School tested the extract from Polypodium leucotomos (Heliocare) and demonstrated an SPF equivalency of around 4 when 2 pills of the Heliocare were taken one hour prior to UV exposure. This is a good product that is endorsed by many dermatologists.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Skin is probably the best product for people with sensitive skin, It is available at CVS.

The pure sunscreen product is junk. As are most of the "natural" products. Rhus extract from poison ivy is all natural, but you don't see folks lining up to rub it on their skin. Anyone who has been taking the "advice" on this thread needs to be careful. There are alot of posters who have no clue what they are talking about.

To get accurate information on UV protection, ask your dermatologist.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School tested the extract from Polypodium leucotomos (Heliocare) and demonstrated an SPF equivalency of around 4 when 2 pills of the Heliocare were taken one hour prior to UV exposure. This is a good product that is endorsed by many dermatologists.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Skin is probably the best product for people with sensitive skin, It is available at CVS.

The pure sunscreen product is junk. As are most of the "natural" products. Rhus extract from poison ivy is all natural, but you don't see folks lining up to rub it on their skin. Anyone who has been taking the "advice" on this thread needs to be careful. There are alot of posters who have no clue what they are talking about.

To get accurate information on UV protection, ask your dermatologist.

Since we have no clue what we are talking about, I guess you are an expert on the subject? I would consider an SPF 4 NOT very good protection. I am blonde, and very light complected. If I only used and SPF of 4, I would fry in the sun. I would have never used an SPF of 4 on my child.

This will be the second WTF I have givin Not so Killer Whale!

I educated myself on the subject of Heliocare. It must be used in conjunction with topical suncreens. Click HERE for a list of FAQ's from their website.

The only question I have is does this plant give you a buzzzz?

Researchers at Harvard Medical School tested the extract from Polypodium leucotomos (Heliocare) and demonstrated an SPF equivalency of around 4 when 2 pills of the Heliocare were taken one hour prior to UV exposure. This is a good product that is endorsed by many dermatologists.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Skin is probably the best product for people with sensitive skin, It is available at CVS.

The pure sunscreen product is junk. As are most of the "natural" products. Rhus extract from poison ivy is all natural, but you don't see folks lining up to rub it on their skin. Anyone who has been taking the "advice" on this thread needs to be careful. There are alot of posters who have no clue what they are talking about.

To get accurate information on UV protection, ask your dermatologist.

I haven't seen a whole lot of "advice" given (excepting skunkape, who I think is a physician). What I am seeing are people giving thier experience with various products as a result of a question. Isn't that the entire point of this thread?