Exploring the protective effects of botanical antioxidants against UV-induced skin damage
The concept of systemic photoprotection through dietary means is gaining attention. The skin is continu- ously exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a primary cause of skin disorders such as sunburn, photodam- age, and nonmelanoma skin cancer. Solar UV radiation initiates photo-oxidative reactions that impair antioxidant defenses and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skin. When ROS generation overwhelms the skin’s antioxidant capacity, the ability to counteract damage is compromised. Excessive UV exposure, particularly UVB, leads to skin disorders including erythema, edema, inflammation, hyper- pigmentation, immunosuppression, skin cancers, and photoaging. To mitigate these effects, antioxidants can be administered through dietary sources, a process known as photochemoprevention. This study employed observational approaches to evaluate the protective effects of selected botanical antioxidants against UV-induced skin damage in individuals with varying dietary habits.