Wu J, et al. (2016). Intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin, and other carotenoids and age-related macular degeneration during 2 decades of prospective follow-up. DOI: This accounts for the differences between preformed vitamin A (found in animal foods and supplements) and provitamin A carotenoids like beta carotene. The body controls the conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A based on what it needs. So, when the body has enough vitamin A, it slows down or stops converting beta-carotene into vitamin A. A 2012 review reports that getting plenty of antioxidant micronutrients, including beta carotene, can increase the skin’s defenses against UV radiation and helps maintain skin health and appearance.

Actually there isn't a huge difference between the creams and the oils, the main differences are the application (do you prefer putting a cream or an oil on?) and also the creams are more moisturising because they have an extra moisturising agent in them.To see the tanning effects you’ll need around 50 000IU of Beta Carotene per day or 1-2 glasses of freshly squeezed carrot juice. How long does it take to see the effects of the Beta Carotene Tan? Canned sweet potatoes provide us with 13308 mcg of beta-carotene per a 255 g cup. However, baked sweet potatoes with skin contain an estimated of 23018 mcg of beta-carotene for every 200 g. A cup of mashed, boiled sweet potatoes (328 g) has around 30976 mcg of the carotene. Overall, sweet potatoes rank high on the most wanted foods for tanning list. 7) Tomato sauces and green tomatoes Whilst preparing your body for better tanning from the inside out may not be something you have thought about before, consuming beta carotene in the form of a supplement or from fruit and vegetables can not only protect your skin from the sun but can also aid in getting a deeper tan. Related Questions Does Beta Carotene Make Your Skin Darker? The top 20 foods richest in beta-carotene we could consider eating when looking to tan are: 1) Apricots. When absorbed, the beta carotene in the tanning oil or sunscreen will help to bring the darker pigments of skin to the surface, and many claim to achieve a darker, longer-lasting tan when using these products.

Pairing these foods, herbs, and spices with a healthy fat, such as olive oil, avocado, or nuts and seeds, can help the body absorb them better. Beta carotene in tanning products helps to bring darker pigments in your skin to the surface, so your skin will get darker when used with suntanning. What Vitamin Makes You Tan Better? Beta carotene is a fat-soluble compound, which is why eating this nutrient with a fat improves its absorption. No matter how much of a sun worshipper you may be, being out in the sun for hours on end isn’t being kind to your skin. Schedule in time to sit in the shade, it will give your skin a chance to recover from the intensity of the sun’s rays and help prevent you from getting burnt.If you are concerned about your skin health or need professional advice, speak to a medical professional. Take Home Message Provitamin A compounds (including beta-carotene) are the precursors to vitamin A. Provitamin A compounds need to be converted into active vitamin A once inside the body. Our products can be used in the sun or on sunbeds, it can be applied over SPF lotion. Contains almond & wheat germ oil. If you have skin sensitivities, nut allergies, or are gluten intolerant, please consult your dermatologist prior to use. Carrot Sun products contain almond oil, which is rich in a natural tan-accelerating agent called L-Tyrosine. This amino acid promotes and stimulates the production of melanin in the skin upon exposure to UV rays or the sun. Melanin is the pigment responsible for the tanned colour of skin and also protects skin from UV rays. L-Tyrosine in our tanning formulas means that less time is needed in the sun to achieve your desired colour. Carrot oil is a natural tan accelerator, and is present in our Carrot & Tropical Fruit products. It is also rich in beta carotene which, in the correct amounts, shows as a slightly bronze coloured tint on skin. Beta carotene is another contributor to Carrot Sun’s signature golden glow. Carrot oil is also rich in vitamins A, E, & C and antioxidants, all of which significantly reduce the signs of aging and combat free radicals.

Once a beta-carotene containing food is digested, special cells in the gut break it into two molecules of retinol (also known as vitamin A). This vitamin A is then used in various critical bodily functions such as vision, reproduction, immunity and growth. The Carrot and Papaya varieties of Carrot Sun products may stain light-coloured garments temporarily. However, this does tend to wash out after a single wash, but depending upon the type of garment it may need a few more washes. But orange and red foods are not the only ones to contain significant amounts of carotene. Dark green fruits and vegetables such as leafy green vegetables are also important dietary sources of carotenes, but also several dark purple produce varieties. Week 1: 2 glasses of freshly squeezed carrot juice per day or 60,000 IU Beta Carotene from supplements If you have fair skin then building up your tan two weeks before going on holiday is recommended by going on a sunbed. Otherwise, you can apply our products to your skin over an SPF cream whilst on holiday, they will still work well and you will still get a great tan.

Why you should aim for a variety of vegetables

Beta carotene may also help boost your skin’s health. Again, this is likely due to its antioxidant effects. Raw apricots have about 1696 mcg (micrograms) of beta-carotene per 1 cup of 155 g of halved fruits. Dried, uncooked apricots have about 2812 mcg per cup of an estimated 130 g. Uncooked, dried peaches contain about the same amounts: 1718 mcg per 160 g cup. Raw butterhead lettuce: 1093 mcg of beta-carotene per 53 g (1 cup). Raw romaine lettuce: 2456 mcg per cup. Green lettuce: 1599 mcg per 36 g (1 cup). Iceberg lettuce: only 215 mcg per 1 cup of 72 g. 13) Mustard greens Whilst more research is needed to confirm whether beta carotene in tanning products actually leads to melanin production, the other tan-enhancing properties of beta carotene are enough to support claims made by tanning companies that oils containing beta carotene can help you tan. Any extra beta-carotene is then either stored in the liver and fat tissue, excreted through poo, or removed via sweat glands in the outer layer of the skin. This is when the orange skin “tan” can happen. In medicine, this is called carotenoderma.

Consume your Beta Carotenetone after eating a meal that contains some fats to increase absorption. How Much Beta Carotene do you need Cooked, boiled and drained beet greens boast 6610 mcg of beta-carotene per 1 cup of 144 g. Both beets and their greens are one of the healthiest vegetables we can enjoy, with beets containing red antioxidant pigments with cancer preventive properties. 9) Collards We get 686 mcg of beta-carotene for every 174 g cup of uncooked pitted prunes. Raw plums contain about 314 mcg for every 165 g cup. There’s no established recommended daily allowance (RDA) for beta carotene. The RDA for beta carotene is included as part of the RDA for vitamin A. However, our skin needs several essential nutrients to stay healthy, regardless if it’s tanned or not, or in between. Foods rich in vitamins A, E and C, as well as healthy unsaturated fatty acids such as Omega-3 are crucial for having healthy skin to begin with. Because only healthy skin achieved through good nutrition and proper care can be safely exposed to the sun and become beautifully tan.

Take Home Message

Research suggests that diets rich in foods that are high in antioxidants like beta carotene may help protect against the development of certain cancers. Exfoliate in the shower before you go tanning to get rid of dead skin cells. This will make your tan last longer. In addition to these 20 excellent sources of carotenes and beta-carotene in particular, tanning our skin requires us to also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep our skin plump and healthy. You may be in the comfiest position ever, but staying put in that position, when the sun’s beaming down on you, may lead to the part of your body that’s directly in the sun, getting burnt. To avoid this, turn over or move around frequently. Lastly, vitamin C ensures fast wound healing, prevents wrinkles and scarring, boasts strong antioxidant and anticancer properties.