If UV pills have been popping up in your social media feed, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re the latest innovation in protecting the skin against sun damage.
As traditional sunscreen becomes the latest product the ingredients and effects of which are being fiercely debated online, claims about UV pills range from them preventing sunburn to being a replacement for sunscreen in protecting skin against the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays – both of which are false, according to experts.
“UV pills have been around for some time,” says Dr Harshal Ranglani, specialist dermatology and cosmetology at Aster Royal Clinic, Arabian Ranches. “They have recently gained more visibility as interest in holistic skin health, anti-ageing and the concept of nutricosmetics has grown. They are dietary supplements containing antioxidants and vitamins designed to support the skin’s natural defence mechanisms against ultraviolet radiation.”
What is in UV pills?
Most UV pills contain plant-derived antioxidants and vitamins. Traditionally prescribed for photosensitivity and associated dermatological conditions, ingredients can vary, but the most common ingredients include polypodium leucotomos extract which can help maintain skin resilience against UV-induced free radical damage.
According to Dr Ranglani, “Several studies show that polypodium leucotomos reduces the extent of UV-induced redness, DNA damage, and oxidative stress markers.”
Additionally, UV pills may contain carotenoids such as beta-carotene, which are pigments that can absorb certain wavelengths of light and provide antioxidant protection; vitamins C and E to support skin repair and Vitamin B3 to aid DNA repair support.
Can UV pills replace sunscreen?
“No, sunscreen pills or ‘UV pills’ do not help repair sunburn and are not a replacement for topical sunscreen,” says Dr Rosanne Dalgado, specialist dermatologist at Kaya Clinic – Abu Dhabi Mall & Mushrif. The US FDA has issued warnings against them due to unproven drug claims and potential health risks.”
Despite online claims touting UV pills as an “alternative” to sunscreen, taken orally they cannot act in the same way that sunscreen can by creating a barrier between the skin and the sun’s rays.
“Unlike sunscreen, which physically or chemically blocks or absorbs UV rays on the skin’s surface, oral supplements act systemically to reduce secondary damage from oxidative stress from UV rays,” says Dr Ranglani. “They do not prevent UV rays from penetrating the skin, so they cannot serve as a standalone defence.”
Can UV pills prevent or repair sunburn?
The pills cannot prevent you from getting sunburn from too much sun exposure. The best way of avoiding sunburn remains using a high-SPF sunscreen, avoiding being in the sun during the hottest hours of the day, wearing a hat and protective clothing and staying out of the sun altogether.
“They may support recovery by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, but they cannot reverse a sunburn,” says Dr Ranglani. “Once sunburn has occurred, conventional treatment options will be required.”
Adds Dr Dalgado: “To treat sunburn, you should immediately get out of the sun, cool the skin with a cool compress or bath and apply a moisturiser with aloe vera or a soothing cream, while also staying hydrated by drinking water. For skin showing signs of sun damage, treatments like retinoids, antioxidants and professional procedures such as laser resurfacing can help improve its appearance.”
Can UV pills be used in addition to sunscreen?
Experts are agreed that this is where the effectiveness of UV pills may have become confused or amplified, as they can complement existing sun protection, but only when used in conjunction with a high-SPF cream or other preventive measures.
“While they can complement topical sunscreens by improving the skin's internal defence against oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage, they do not block UV rays and cannot replace the use of traditional topical sunscreens, protective clothing, and shade for comprehensive protection,” says Dr Ranglani.
When combined with daily sunscreen use, UV pills may enhance overall skin protection, reduce redness and sensitivity after sun exposure and provide an extra layer of defence for those with photosensitive conditions.
“Oral antioxidants contained in these pills can help lower oxidative damage, reduce photoageing and support the skin’s natural immune response to UV radiation,” adds Dr Ranglani. “Because oral supplements are systemically distributed, they can provide protective benefits across the entire skin surface, not just localised areas.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 194hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: from Dh155,000
On sale: now
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
MATCH INFO
Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)
Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16
Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)
Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28
Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
More on Coronavirus in France
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
Company profile
Company: Eighty6
Date started: October 2021
Founders: Abdul Kader Saadi and Anwar Nusseibeh
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Hospitality
Size: 25 employees
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investment: $1 million
Investors: Seed funding, angel investors
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key products and UAE prices
iPhone XS
With a 5.8-inch screen, it will be an advance version of the iPhone X. It will be dual sim and comes with better battery life, a faster processor and better camera. A new gold colour will be available.
Price: Dh4,229
iPhone XS Max
It is expected to be a grander version of the iPhone X with a 6.5-inch screen; an inch bigger than the screen of the iPhone 8 Plus.
Price: Dh4,649
iPhone XR
A low-cost version of the iPhone X with a 6.1-inch screen, it is expected to attract mass attention. According to industry experts, it is likely to have aluminium edges instead of stainless steel.
Price: Dh3,179
Apple Watch Series 4
More comprehensive health device with edge-to-edge displays that are more than 30 per cent bigger than displays on current models.
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
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UAE central contracts
Full time contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Usman, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid
Part time contracts
Aryan Lakra, Ansh Tandon, Karthik Meiyappan, Rahul Bhatia, Alishan Sharafu, CP Rizwaan, Basil Hameed, Matiullah, Fahad Nawaz, Sanchit Sharma
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Indian origin executives leading top technology firms
Sundar Pichai
Chief executive, Google and Alphabet
Satya Nadella
Chief executive, Microsoft
Ajaypal Singh Banga
President and chief executive, Mastercard
Shantanu Narayen
Chief executive, chairman, and president, Adobe
Indra Nooyi
Board of directors, Amazon and former chief executive, PepsiCo
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
