Heliocare ($57 for 60 capsules) is a dietary supplement for the skin. It contains an extract from the fern species Polypodium leucotomos. What could possibly make this fern worthy of special packaging? There is research showing that this Central American fern can provide some amount of sun protection from the inside out. It is not meant to be used instead of sunscreen, but rather to boost the effectiveness of topical formulations by enhancing the body's ability to deal with the UV rays of the sun that get through even the best topical sunscreens. Boosting a sunscreen from the inside out is a great idea, but it absolutely shouldn't cost $57 for a one- or two-month supply. Besides, other studies demonstrate you can gain the same type of sun protection capacity from other antioxidants, such as vitamin D (Source: Experimental Dermatology, April 2004, pages 11–15) and from combinations of vitamins E and C, carotenoids, selenium, and proanthocyanidins (Source: Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, September–October 2002, pages 307–315), and from green tea and pycnogenol (Source: Phytotherapy Research, 2002, volume 15, pages 567–571). The good news is that you don't have to take supplements to receive many of these nutrients. For example, eating lots of fresh fruits (especially berries) and vegetables will provide plenty of vitamin C, and grapes (as well as red wine) are an excellent source of proanthocyanidins.
Source: Paula Begoun
Heliocare Dietary Supplement for Skin Product Information
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