I'm relatively immune to sunburn (olive skin) but my better half is very fair skinned and burns very quickly ...
Honestly, I didn't expect this stuff to work. I'm relatively immune to sunburn (olive skin) but my better half is very fair skinned and burns very quickly even in New England, when the offer came up for it for free in return for an honest review, I figured we would give it a shot. She tried this stuff out and was able to stay out in the sun about an average of 30 minutes longer than normal (or about 33 minutes, lol) without significant burning. After that, I had to check out the science and sure enough, there's enough studies out there that back this up.<br /><br />A study in persons with Phototype II or III skin (non-pale white persons) exposed to UV rays who did not otherwise have skin conditions noted that 7.5mg/kg Polypodium Leucotomos taken the night previous to testing was able to delay the rate of which the skin reddens (erythema) alongside a reduction in mast cell infiltration. Although a preservation of Langerhans cells (related to the immune system) has been noted previously associated with Polypodium Leucotomos in animals and humans, this study merely noted a trend<br />One of the few controlled trials on the matter note reduced DNA damage secondary to UV(A) radiation, where in measuring levels of the common deletion (CD) of a 4977 base-pair mitochondiral DNA (used as a biomarker for UV(A)-induced damage) where the amount of CD induction at twice the level of UVA required to induce reddening (217% in control relative to baseline) was reduced by 86%, and the induction at thrice the level (760% of baseline) was reduced 61%. Unfortunately, these results were not statistically significant (P values of 0.06 and 0.07; respectively), and beyond this controlled trial mostly case studies exist.<br /><br />Appears to be somewhat effective in protecting the skin against the damage induced by ultraviolet radiation, although larger and more well controlled trials are needed. The trends suggest that it can reduce reddening and reduce the rate of which skin burns in the sunlight.<br /><br />I do NOT give positive reviews for products that I don't think deserve them, no matter what the cost is. If you are fair skinned, this just might be the solution to let you stay outside in the sun longer without discomfort.
Rating: 5 stars