You’ve probably learned from experience that many anti-aging creams are little more than hope in a jar. While a good serum can help on the surface, it can’t fix the underlying issues that cause wrinkles and dullness in the first place. Real, lasting skin health is built from the inside out. Your skin is a window to your overall wellness, and it needs the right building blocks to repair itself and stay strong. So, what’s the most effective way to get those nutrients? We’ll break down the science behind the best anti aging vitamins for face and show you how a doctor-formulated, internal approach can create a foundation for true radiance.
Key Takeaways
- Your skin reflects your internal health: What you see in the mirror, such as wrinkles and dullness, is often a direct result of cellular damage and inflammation happening inside your body. A surface-level cream cannot fix a problem that starts deep within.
- Combine creams and capsules for the best results: Think of it as a team effort. A quality cream protects your skin's surface from daily damage, while a targeted supplement provides the internal nutrients needed to rebuild collagen and fight aging from the inside out.
- Focus on what is proven to work: Ignore flashy marketing and look for products with effective amounts of research-backed ingredients like Vitamins A, C, and E. Choosing doctor-formulated supplements ensures you get a dose that is powerful enough to support your skin health goals.
The Real Reason Your Skin Is Aging
If you’re tired of looking in the mirror and seeing new lines and spots, you’re not alone. And if you’re frustrated with expensive creams that promise the world but deliver very little, you’ve come to the right place. Most of the beauty industry focuses on surface-level fixes, but the truth is, what you see on your face is a direct reflection of what’s happening inside your body.
The appearance of aging skin isn't just about birthdays or genetics. It’s a sign that certain processes in your body are breaking down faster than they are building back up. Before we talk about which vitamins can help, it’s important to understand what you’re really up against. Forget the fancy marketing terms and let’s get straight to the science, in plain English. Understanding the root cause is the first step to finding a solution that actually works.
What's Happening Under the Surface
Think of your skin as a window to your overall health. When you see wrinkles, sagging, or age spots, it’s your body’s way of showing you that there’s a battle going on at a cellular level. Over time, your cells naturally start to decline. This process is sped up by a few key factors: ongoing inflammation, a lack of essential nutrients from your diet, and damage from something called oxidative stress. These internal issues are the real drivers behind visible aging. They affect not just your skin, but your entire body, influencing everything from your energy levels to your cognitive function. So, while a cream might temporarily plump a wrinkle, it can’t fix the underlying problem.
The Two Main Culprits: Oxidative Stress and Collagen Loss
Let’s break down the two biggest enemies of youthful skin. First is oxidative stress. This happens when unstable molecules called free radicals run rampant in your body. Think of them as tiny sparks that damage your cells. Things like sun exposure, pollution, and even stress create more of these sparks. Antioxidants are the firefighters that put them out. When you have more sparks than firefighters, your skin cells get damaged, and that damage shows up as wrinkles and dullness.
The second culprit is collagen loss. Collagen is the protein that acts like scaffolding for your skin, keeping it firm, plump, and smooth. After age 20, you start producing about 1% less collagen each year. This loss weakens the skin’s structure, causing it to sag and form wrinkles. It's the same protein that helps maintain a lean and toned body. Fortunately, your body can still create collagen, but it needs the right building blocks to do it.
The Best Anti-Aging Vitamins That Actually Work
Walk down any skincare aisle, and you’ll be bombarded with promises in a bottle. But when you strip away the fancy marketing and confusing ingredient lists, you’ll find that only a handful of vitamins are doing the real work. These are the tried-and-true ingredients with decades of research proving they can make a visible difference in your skin.
Instead of chasing every new trend, focusing on these foundational vitamins is the smartest way to care for your skin. They work by addressing the two main causes of aging: damage from the environment and the natural slowdown of your skin’s repair processes. Getting enough of these key players, either through your diet, supplements, or what you put on your skin, is the most direct path to a healthier, more resilient complexion. These are the vitamins that our doctors stand behind because the science is solid.
Vitamin C: Brighten and Build Collagen
Think of Vitamin C as your skin’s frontline defender. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps shield your skin from the daily assault of sun exposure and pollution, which are major causes of wrinkles and dark spots. But it doesn’t just play defense. Vitamin C is also a critical piece of the puzzle for building collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm and plump. As we age, our collagen production drops dramatically. Adding Vitamin C back into your routine gives your skin the raw materials it needs to stay strong, bright, and even-toned.
Vitamin A (Retinol): Renew Your Skin Cells
If there’s one ingredient that dermatologists agree on, it’s Vitamin A. You probably know it by its other name: retinol. This is the undisputed heavyweight champion of anti-aging. Vitamin A works by speeding up your skin’s natural cell turnover process. In other words, it encourages your skin to shed old, dull, damaged cells and replace them with fresh, new ones. This is what makes it so effective at smoothing fine lines, refining skin texture, and even helping with breakouts. It’s a powerful ingredient that tells your skin to act young again.
Vitamin E: Protect and Moisturize
Vitamin E is Vitamin C’s best friend. While it’s a solid antioxidant on its own, it becomes even more powerful when paired with Vitamin C, working to protect your skin from environmental stress. Its main job is to protect your skin’s lipid barrier, which is the natural seal that keeps moisture in and irritants out. When this barrier is healthy, your skin looks and feels soft, hydrated, and calm. If your skin often feels dry, tight, or irritated, a lack of Vitamin E could be part of the problem.
Niacinamide (B3): Defend Your Skin's Barrier
Niacinamide, a form of Vitamin B3, is the peacemaker for your skin. It’s incredibly versatile and helps with a wide range of issues, but its primary benefit is strengthening your skin’s barrier. A strong barrier is better at holding onto moisture and is less likely to become red, irritated, or sensitive. Niacinamide helps calm inflammation, reduce redness, and improve the overall resilience of your skin. If you find other active ingredients too harsh, Niacinamide is a gentle yet effective way to support your skin’s health.
CoQ10: Energize Your Skin Cells
Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is like a battery charger for your skin cells. This antioxidant is naturally present in every cell of your body, where it plays a key role in producing energy. As you get older, your natural levels of CoQ10 decline, which means your skin cells have less energy to repair damage and regenerate. This can lead to more visible wrinkles and sagging. By replenishing CoQ10, you give your cells the fuel they need to function properly, helping them defend against the oxidative stress that accelerates aging.
Vitamin D: The Overlooked Skin Saver
We all know Vitamin D is crucial for strong bones and a healthy immune system, but it’s often overlooked as a key player in skin health. This vitamin plays an important role in skin cell growth, repair, and metabolism. It also helps protect the skin and destroy the free radicals that cause premature aging. Many people, especially as they get older, have low levels of Vitamin D, which can impact everything from their skin to their mood. Ensuring you have adequate levels is a simple way to support your body’s overall wellness, which is always reflected in your skin. That's why we include ingredients that support your whole system in our cognitive and mood supplements.
What Does the Science Actually Say?
Let's cut through the noise. You've seen the ads and the miracle claims on drugstore shelves, but what does the science actually say about turning back the clock on your skin? It’s easy to spend a fortune on products that don’t deliver. The truth is, many popular solutions barely scratch the surface, literally. To see real change, you have to understand what’s happening at a deeper level and which ingredients have the proof to back them up. Here’s a straightforward look at the research.
What Research Shows About Vitamins for Skin
First, let's be honest about most anti-aging creams. Many simply don't work as advertised. The reason is often disappointing: they either contain such a tiny amount of the active vitamin that it has no effect, or the formula isn't designed for your skin to properly absorb it. You end up with a pricey moisturizer that does little more than temporarily hydrate the top layer of your skin.
According to dermatologists, only a handful of antioxidants have solid proof behind them for protecting skin and preventing further aging. The key players that research shows make a real difference are Selenium, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C. These ingredients help shield your skin from sun damage and fight off the free radicals that break down your skin cells over time.
Oral vs. Topical: What's the Proof?
So, if creams can be unreliable, what’s the alternative? This is where working from the inside out comes in. While a topical serum can target the surface, it can't fix underlying issues. For example, Vitamin C is a powerhouse for skin, but it's notoriously unstable and breaks down quickly when exposed to air, making it difficult to create an effective cream.
Taking a supplement, on the other hand, delivers nutrients throughout your entire body. This approach helps fight the root causes of aging by providing antioxidants, reducing inflammation, and filling in any nutritional gaps in your diet. When your body has the right tools, it can repair itself more effectively, and that healthier foundation will show on your skin.
The Truth About Collagen Supplements
You can't talk about anti-aging without mentioning collagen. It's the protein that gives your skin its firmness and elasticity, but we produce less of it as we get older. Many people now swear by adding collagen peptides to their coffee or drinking bone broth, hoping to replenish their supply. But does it actually work?
The answer is yes, but not in the way most people think. When you consume collagen, your body doesn't just send it straight to your wrinkles. Instead, it breaks it down into amino acids. These are the fundamental building blocks your body then uses to create its own collagen wherever it's needed most, whether that's in your skin, joints, or hair. So, taking a collagen supplement is really about giving your body the raw materials it needs to do its own repair work.
Creams vs. Capsules: Which Is Better for Your Face?
Walking down the skincare aisle can feel overwhelming. You see countless jars and bottles promising to turn back the clock, but you’ve probably learned from experience that many of them fall short. The truth is, what you put on your skin is only half the story. Real, lasting skin health is built from the inside out.
So, when it comes to fighting wrinkles and restoring that youthful glow, should you reach for a cream or a capsule? The answer isn't one or the other. It’s about understanding what each one does and using them together for the best results. Let’s break down when to use each and how to build a powerful, two-pronged approach.
When to Use a Cream or Serum
Let’s be frank: many anti-aging creams don’t work as well as they claim. They might contain fancy-sounding vitamins, but the amounts are often too small to make a difference, or the formula isn't designed for your skin to properly absorb them. A good cream or serum works on the surface of your skin. It’s your first line of defense against environmental damage and can provide an immediate improvement in texture and hydration.
Think of a high-quality, vitamin-rich cream as a protective shield. Ingredients like Vitamin C and Vitamin E are fantastic for this, as they help fend off daily damage from the sun and pollution. A good serum can deliver a concentrated dose of these ingredients to brighten your complexion and soften fine lines, but its work is mostly on the outside.
When to Take a Supplement
While creams work on the surface, supplements get to the root of the problem from within. As we age, our body’s natural collagen production slows down, and we face internal battles with inflammation and oxidative stress. These are the deep-seated issues that lead to wrinkles, sagging, and dullness, and no cream can fully fix them. This is where a targeted supplement comes in.
Taking a capsule with research-backed ingredients gives your body the tools it needs to rebuild and defend itself. For example, a healthy gut is closely linked to clear, calm skin, which is why many women find success when they support their system with probiotics. By nourishing your body internally, you are addressing the underlying causes of skin aging, helping to build stronger, more resilient skin from the ground up.
Can You Use Both? A Doctor-Backed Approach
Absolutely. In fact, using both is the smartest, most effective strategy for truly youthful skin. Think of it as a team effort: your cream is playing defense on the surface, while your supplement is playing offense from the inside. The cream protects your skin from the outside world, while the supplement provides the essential nutrients to repair and regenerate cells deep within. This combination creates a powerful synergy that neither can achieve alone.
Remember, supplements are not a magic bullet that will make you look 20 again. They work best as part of a healthy lifestyle to improve your overall health and vitality. When you choose doctor-formulated products, you can trust that you are giving your body effective, research-backed ingredients that support your goals, both inside and out.
Anti-Aging Vitamin Myths to Ignore
When it comes to anti-aging, the internet is full of big promises and bad advice. It’s easy to get confused by all the conflicting information, and frankly, a lot of it is just plain wrong. Many companies are more interested in selling you a dream than a product that works. Let's cut through the noise and get straight to the truth about some of the most common myths you’ll hear about anti-aging vitamins. Understanding what’s fact and what’s fiction is the first step toward building a routine that actually delivers results for your skin and your health.
Myth: More Is Always Better
You’ve probably heard the thinking that if a little bit of a vitamin is good, a lot must be great. This is one of the most persistent and potentially harmful myths out there. Your body is a finely tuned machine, and it can only absorb and use a certain amount of any nutrient at one time. Taking massive doses of vitamins often just means you’re paying for expensive ingredients your body will simply flush out. In some cases, very high doses of certain vitamins can even become toxic and cause health problems. The key is to find a balanced, doctor-formulated supplement that provides what your body actually needs, not just to overload it.
Myth: "Natural" Automatically Means Safe
The word "natural" on a label feels reassuring, but it doesn't guarantee safety. Poison ivy is natural, but you wouldn't want to put it on your skin. The same logic applies to supplements. Many natural herbs and vitamins can cause side effects or interact with prescription medications you might be taking for blood pressure, heart health, or other conditions. For example, some supplements can affect how your body processes other drugs, making them more or less potent. This is why it's so important to talk with your doctor before adding anything new to your routine, especially if you are managing other health concerns with cognitive or mood supplements.
Myth: A Pill Can Erase All Wrinkles
Wouldn't it be nice if a single pill could turn back the clock 20 years? Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works. While vitamins and supplements can do wonders for supporting your skin’s health from the inside, they are not a magic eraser for wrinkles. Aging is a complex biological process. Quality supplements can help by fighting oxidative stress, supporting collagen production, and giving your cells the nutrients they need to function well. This can lead to healthier, more resilient skin, but it won't completely reverse deep-set wrinkles. A smart approach combines targeted supplements with a healthy lifestyle to help you look and feel your best at any age, which is the true goal of our Lean & Toned Collection.
Build Your Daily Anti-Aging Routine
Having the right vitamins is only half the battle. To get real results, you need a simple, repeatable plan. How you apply your skincare and what you do every single day matters more than any single expensive product. It’s not about a complicated 12-step process; it’s about using the right ingredients in the right order at the right time. This consistency is what tells your skin it has the resources it needs to repair and protect itself.
Think of it like this: you wouldn’t eat a healthy meal just once a month and expect to feel your best. Your skin requires the same steady nourishment, both from the outside in and the inside out. A solid routine combines targeted topical treatments with the foundational support of a healthy lifestyle and smart supplementation. Let’s build a routine that’s easy to stick with and actually delivers on its promises.
How to Layer Your Skincare Products
The order you apply your products makes a big difference in how well they work. If you put a thick cream on first, the active ingredients in your lighter serums can’t get through. The simple rule is to apply products from the thinnest consistency to the thickest. After cleansing your face, start with watery serums, then move to lotions or gels, and finish with heavier creams and oils.
For example, a Vitamin C serum is a clinical gold standard for brightening your complexion and fighting environmental damage. Because it’s typically lightweight, you should apply it to clean, dry skin before any other moisturizer. This allows the potent antioxidant to penetrate deeply and get to work without being blocked. Let each layer absorb for a minute or two before applying the next one.
When to Apply: Morning vs. Night
Timing is everything. Certain vitamins work best during the day, while others are meant for your skin’s nighttime repair cycle. Think of your morning routine as your defense shield and your evening routine as your repair crew. In the morning, your focus should be on protection. This is the perfect time to use your Vitamin C serum, as it helps defend your skin against the UV rays and pollution you’ll encounter throughout the day.
At night, it’s time to switch to renewal and repair. This is when you should apply Vitamin A (retinol). Retinol is the most proven anti-aging ingredient for speeding up cell turnover and building collagen, but it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Using it at night allows it to work its magic safely while you sleep, helping to smooth fine lines and improve texture.
Powerful Vitamin Pairings
Some vitamins are true team players, working even better when they’re together. One of the most effective duos is Vitamin C and Vitamin E. When you use them together, these two powerful antioxidants support each other to provide enhanced protection against sun damage. Vitamin C helps regenerate Vitamin E after it neutralizes free radicals, making your skin’s defense system stronger. You can find this pair in serums or use them separately.
This synergy also works from the inside out. Taking vitamins C and E orally helps arm your body with the antioxidants needed to fight cellular damage everywhere, including your skin. This is why a comprehensive approach that includes high-quality, doctor-formulated supplements can provide a strong foundation for your topical routine, addressing skin health from a deeper level.
Why Consistency Is the Real Secret
You can buy the most scientifically advanced, expensive cream in the world, but if it mostly sits in your medicine cabinet, it’s not doing you any good. The real secret to younger-looking skin isn’t a miracle product; it’s the simple habit of a consistent daily routine. Applying your products every morning and every night sends a constant signal to your skin to build collagen, fight off damage, and renew itself.
Supplements work the same way. They help fill nutritional gaps and provide your body with the building blocks it needs to combat aging. But they can only do their job if you take them regularly. The best results always come from combining good daily habits. Pairing a consistent skincare routine with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and targeted supplements creates a powerful strategy for aging well and feeling great in your skin.
How Much Do You Actually Need?
When it comes to vitamins for your skin, the dose makes all the difference. You can buy a product loaded with promising ingredients, but if the concentration is too low, you’re just wasting your money. The truth is, many companies hide behind fancy labels without putting enough of the active ingredient in the bottle to get you real results. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about the specific amounts that science shows can actually make a visible change in your skin, whether you’re using a cream or taking a supplement.
For Creams: Effective Concentrations
Here’s the plain truth: many anti-aging creams on the market simply don’t work. The reason is that they often contain tiny, ineffective amounts of vitamins, or the formula isn't designed for your skin to properly absorb them. According to dermatologists, many products that promise to reduce wrinkles with vitamins don't actually work well because the concentration is just too low to have an effect. For a topical product to make a difference, it needs to contain a high enough percentage of the active ingredient. For example, studies on Vitamin C serums often use concentrations between 10% and 20% to see results in brightness and firmness. Anything less is unlikely to do much more than lightly moisturize your skin.
For Supplements: Research-Backed Doses
Taking your vitamins orally is a more direct way to ensure your body gets what it needs to build healthy skin from the inside out. Unlike creams, a high-quality supplement gives you a precise, effective dose. For instance, research shows that taking Vitamin E supplements at 400 milligrams a day can help reduce sun damage and improve skin texture. Similarly, getting enough Vitamin C is critical for your body to produce collagen, the protein that keeps skin firm and smooth. When you take a doctor-formulated supplement, you can be confident you’re getting a dose that is actually backed by science and powerful enough to support your skin health goals.
What to Watch Out For: Side Effects and Interactions
While adding the right vitamins to your routine can be a game-changer for your skin, it’s just as important to be smart about what you’re taking. The truth is, even natural ingredients can cause issues if they aren’t a good fit for your body or if they interact with something else you’re taking. This isn’t about fear; it’s about being an informed and empowered advocate for your own health.
Thinking about your overall wellness, including your mental clarity, is also part of a healthy aging strategy. Many people find that supporting their brain health with cognitive and mood supplements complements their physical health goals. Before you start any new supplement, whether for your skin or your mind, it’s wise to understand the full picture. Paying attention to potential side effects and interactions is not just a good idea, it’s a crucial step in taking the best possible care of yourself. Let’s walk through what you need to keep on your radar.
Avoid Common Skin Reactions
Just because a vitamin is natural doesn’t mean it’s automatically gentle on everyone. For example, while Vitamin E is great for protecting your skin, some people find that applying it topically can cause a rash or irritation. The same goes for oral supplements. When you introduce something new, your body can take time to adjust. If you’re starting a new cream, do a patch test on a small area of skin first. If you’re trying a new supplement, pay close attention to how you feel. A little awareness goes a long way in preventing uncomfortable reactions and ensuring the vitamins you choose are actually helping, not hurting.
Vitamin Combinations to Avoid
In the world of supplements, more is not always better. Your body is a finely tuned system, and flooding it with excessive amounts of certain vitamins can do more harm than good. Some vitamins compete for absorption, meaning if you take too much of one, you might create a deficiency in another. This is why grabbing a handful of individual pills can sometimes be counterproductive. A well-formulated supplement takes these interactions into account. Instead of guessing, focus on a balanced approach that provides what your body truly needs without overdoing it. It’s about strategy, not quantity.
Potential Medication Interactions
This is a big one, and it’s non-negotiable. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medications, you must be cautious with new supplements. "Natural" ingredients can have powerful effects and may interfere with how your medication works. For instance, some supplements can affect blood thinners, blood pressure medications, or diabetes drugs. This is why it's critical to view supplements as active compounds, not just harmless nutrients. The National Institutes of Health provides a helpful guide on the importance of talking to your doctor about supplements to avoid any risky interactions.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
The single best thing you can do before starting any new vitamin or supplement is to have a conversation with your doctor. This is especially true if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have diabetes, or manage any other ongoing health condition. Your doctor understands your complete health profile, including your prescriptions and unique needs. They can help you make an informed decision and ensure that a new supplement will be a safe and effective addition to your routine. Think of it as building your personal health team, with you and your doctor working together for the best results.
How to Choose a Quality Anti-Aging Product
The beauty aisle is packed with products all promising to turn back the clock. It’s easy to spend a fortune on creams and pills that deliver little more than hope in a jar. But you can make smart choices if you know what to look for and, more importantly, what to avoid. The secret isn’t about finding a single magic bullet; it’s about understanding how quality ingredients work and demanding products that actually contain them in forms your body can use. Let's cut through the noise and get straight to what makes a product worth your money.
What to Look for in a Cream or Serum
Here’s a hard truth: most anti-aging creams you see in drugstores don’t work as advertised. They often contain such tiny amounts of active vitamins that they have no real effect, or the formula isn't designed to be absorbed by your skin. Instead of falling for flashy packaging, turn the bottle around and read the ingredient list. Look for proven ingredients like Vitamin C (as L-ascorbic acid), Vitamin E, and Niacinamide listed near the top, not buried at the end after a long list of fillers. A quality serum will also be packaged in an opaque, air-tight container to protect these sensitive ingredients from degrading.
How to Choose a Doctor-Formulated Supplement
While creams work on the surface, supplements can support your skin from within. Aging isn't just skin deep; it's also driven by inflammation and nutritional gaps. A high-quality supplement delivers meaningful doses of powerhouse ingredients that a cream could never provide. Think of things like collagen for skin structure, probiotics for gut health (which is linked to skin clarity), and antioxidants to fight cellular damage. When choosing a supplement, look for one that is doctor-formulated. This indicates that an expert has chosen specific, research-backed ingredients in effective amounts to target the root causes of aging, giving you a much better chance at seeing real results.
Red Flags to Spot on the Label
Learning to spot red flags is your best defense against wasting money. Be wary of products that make huge promises but are vague about the ingredients. If a label screams "miracle wrinkle eraser" but doesn't list the concentration of its active ingredients, put it back. Another red flag is a long list of synthetic fillers and fragrances with the beneficial ingredients at the very bottom. Also, don't be fooled by the word "natural." Even natural ingredients can cause reactions or interact with medications. Always choose products from companies that are transparent about their formulas and testing. A trustworthy brand will stand behind its research-backed health supplements and prioritize your safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If I can only do one thing, should I start with a new cream or a supplement? That's a great question. While a high-quality cream can protect your skin's surface, a supplement works on the root causes of aging from within. If you're looking for the most powerful change, starting with a doctor-formulated supplement is the best first step. It gives your body the building blocks it needs to repair cells and build new collagen, creating a healthier foundation that will show on your skin.
How long will it take to see a difference in my skin after starting these vitamins? Patience and consistency are your best friends here. While you might feel better hydration or energy relatively quickly, visible changes to your skin's texture and firmness take time. Your body needs several weeks, or even a few months, to build new collagen and for new, healthier cells to reach the surface. Give any new routine at least three months of consistent use to see true results.
I already take a daily multivitamin. Do I really need another supplement for my skin? A daily multivitamin is a fantastic habit for covering your basic nutritional needs. However, it typically provides only a small amount of many different nutrients. A targeted anti-aging supplement is different; it's formulated with higher, more potent doses of specific ingredients like collagen peptides, Vitamin C, or CoQ10 that are proven in studies to support skin structure and fight cellular damage.
Can't I just get these anti-aging benefits by eating a healthier diet? A healthy diet is the most important foundation for your overall wellness, and you should absolutely continue to focus on it. The challenge is that it's very difficult to get the high, therapeutic doses of certain nutrients needed to combat aging from food alone, especially as our bodies get less efficient at absorbing them over time. A quality supplement helps fill in those specific gaps to ensure your cells have everything they need to thrive.
You mentioned retinol (Vitamin A) is powerful. Can I use it every day? Because retinol is so effective at encouraging cell turnover, it's best to introduce it slowly to avoid irritation. I recommend starting by applying it just two or three nights a week. If your skin feels fine after a couple of weeks, you can gradually increase how often you use it. Always apply it at night, as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.