Broccoli: A Natural Sunscreen That Really Works

Nadine needs to know: What’s this I hear about Broccoli as a potential topical UV Protectant? Is there any promise for broccoli as a sunscreen?

The Right Brain vegges out:

Yes, Nadine, it looks like broccoli joins our list of natural cosmetic ingredients that really work. According to Science Daily, broccoli extract can protect skin from UV radiation.

Broccoli, so good you don’t have to eat it

Researchers at Johns Hopkins discovered that broccoli contains a type of chemical known as a sulforaphane that has certain anti-tumor properties. They tested this extract by topically applying it to skin (on both humans and mice) and found that it reduced the degree of erythema (skin redness), which is a sign of damage caused by UV radiation.

How does it work?

According to investigator Paul Talalay, M.D., professor of pharmacology, this sulforaphane works by a mechanism that’s entirely different from sunscreens. Sunscreens work on the surface of your skin and either absorb or block sunlight so the UV radiation doesn’t get to your skin cells. Sulforaphane works inside your skin to boost the production of protective enzymes. These enzymes continue to protect your skin for several days, even after the sulforaphane is gone!

Does this mean we could see a bunch of broccoli based beauty balms? And more importantly, will they be all green and gooky and smell like vegetables? And while we’re at it, is Broccoli related to E. coli? So many question, so few answers…

If there was a natural sunscreen that really worked but it was messy and smelled bad would you use it? Or would you stick with your Ombrelle? Leave a comment and let the rest of the Beauty Brains community know what you think.