Is This Summer Wellness Product Putting Your Health at Risk?

Generally, when someone tries to sell you a “pill” that will totally fix a complicated problem, alarm bells should start going off. Health is inherently complex, after all. (Just think about all of the systems in your body and how they affect each other!)

The latest example?

Apparently, according to Dr. Whitney Bowe, there has been a lot of buzz about “sunscreen pills” in the beauty world.

Dr. Bowe is a superstar dermatologist in New York City who not only specializes in skin rejuvenation and laser dermatology but also focuses on how lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, and stress affect your skin. (AKA…our kind of woman!) She helps her patients and people all over the country figure out how to get #thatboweglow every day (and has also been a rockstar speaker at The Nutritious Life Studio’s Masterclass events in the past). And she’s been sharing some of her genius tips and tricks with Nutritious Life readers in a series on hot skin-care topics.

(Photo: Dr. Whitney Bowe)

When you think about it, the idea of a sunscreen pill sounds kind of amazing. No more slathering, spraying, and spreading over and over and over? Yes, please! Of course, it’s just too good to be true.

“My advice is always consistent—no pill has been proven to replace your sunscreen,” Dr. Bowe says. “In fact, the FDA has recently issued warnings that some of these ‘sunscreen pill’ brands are misleading consumers and placing people’s health at risk.”

Want to steer clear of the dangers this summer? Head to Dr. Bowe’s site to see her cheat sheet of Sunscreen Pill Red Flags.

Then, slather on that SPF, and head to the beach.