As estheticians and skincare professionals, you guide your clients to protect their skin with topical sunscreen, but you can enhance their results by recommending a nutrient-rich diet to complement their skincare routine. A combination of oral and topical protection, including Shield & Protect SPF 40 and antioxidant topical products, is the most effective way to achieve a radiant, healthy complexion. Here’s how to advise your clients to nourish their skin from the inside out while emphasizing the importance of their topical regimen.

Why Nutrition Complements Topical Protection

Skin ages in two ways: intrinsically (natural collagen loss over time) and extrinsically (external factors like sun damage, pollution, smoking, sleep deprivation, and poor nutrition). A diet packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats supports skin regeneration, fights free radicals (which damage DNA and cause inflammation), and protects against UV radiation. However, diet alone isn’t enough— sunscreen provides critical broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidant topical products (like serums with Vitamin C or E) neutralize free radicals on the skin’s surface. Research shows higher intakes of Vitamin C and linoleic acid are linked to a more youthful skin appearance, but these work best alongside topical defenses.

Key Nutrients for Skin Health

Encourage your clients to incorporate these skin-loving foods daily:

• Healthy Fats: Avocados, almonds

• Vitamin E: Wheat germ, nuts, seeds, green leafy vegetables

• Vitamin A: Sweet potatoes, carrots, liver

• Vitamin C: Bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits

Pro Tip: Aim for 5-7 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables daily to flood the skin with antioxidants and vitamins, slowing aging and boosting overall health. Pair this with daily application of sunscreen and an antioxidant serum for maximum protection.

Strengthening Skin’s Defense Against UV Radiation

The skin, our largest organ and first line of defense, battles UV radiation and environmental toxins daily. UVB rays cause sunburn, immune suppression, and contribute to skin cancer, while UVA damages deeper collagen, accelerating photo-aging. ID Skin sunscreen is non-negotiable for shielding against both UVA and UVB rays, preventing long-term damage. Antioxidant topical products further fortify the skin by reducing oxidative stress from UV exposure and pollution. Certain foods can also support the skin’s natural SPF factor, creating a synergistic effect when combined with topical protection.

Foods That Support Skin Protection

Advise your clients to eat these powerhouse ingredients:

• Carotenoids: Found in sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots

• Lycopene: Found in cooked tomato products (like pasta sauce), watermelon

• Lutein: Found in dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale

Key Tip: Lycopene is most potent in cooked tomatoes prepared with olive oil, boosting absorption by 3.8 times compared to fresh tomatoes. Suggest dishes like tomato sauce with olive oil for added skin benefits, but remind clients to always apply sunscreen before sun exposure and use an antioxidant-rich topical to enhance their skin’s resilience.

Your Client Takeaway

The phrase “you are what you eat” rings true for skin health, but it’s only part of the equation. A whole-foods-based diet rich in colorful plants will help your clients glow from within, while ID Skin sunscreen and antioxidant topical products provide essential external protection. Together, these strategies protect against UV damage, slow aging, and maintain a radiant complexion.