Emerging research is finding that some foods, nutrients, and plant compounds may help bolster skin’s defenses against UV damage internally. Here are a few of those for an extra layer of protection. Pycnogenol Pycnogenol is a pine bark from France and it is thought to aid in reinforcing skin's natural defenses against UV rays. In one study , researchers measured the minimal erythema dose (MED) - the amount of UV radiation needed to produce visible skin redness- and found that significantly more UV exposure was required to cause redness after Pycnogenol supplementation. UV resistance in 21 human volunteers increased by about 60% after four weeks of daily Pycnogenol supplementation, and about 85% after eight weeks [ 1 ]. ♥ MY PICK | Blue Bonnet Pycnogenol Sulforaphane Research on sulforaphane, a substance found in raw cruciferous vegetables, shows that it can accumulate in the skin after oral consumption. In one small human study , researc...