Skip to main content
Ingredients Antioxidant Polypodium Leucotomos
67Pl
Tier · Moderate evidence
Antioxidant · Sun protection

Polypodium Leucotomos

INCI: Polypodium Leucotomos Leaf Extract · Also called: Fernblock, PLE, Calaguala

A supplement (and topical) that adds an internal layer of sun protection on top of your sunscreen, popular for melasma and easily-burned skin. Not a sunscreen replacement, but a real adjunct.

For your skin

A supplement (and topical) that adds an internal layer of sun protection on top of your sunscreen, popular for melasma and easily-burned skin. Not a sunscreen replacement, but a real adjunct.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Fern-derived polyphenol blend (caffeoylquinic acids) that scavenges UV-induced ROS, preserves Langerhans cells, and reduces CPD and 8-OHdG DNA photoproducts after solar irradiation.

Why we tier this moderate

3 cited papers across 2 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

2
European Union
1
United States

Cited research

🇺🇸

Natarelli N et al., Oral Supplements and Photoprotection: A Systematic Review, Journal of Medicinal Food 2025

2025Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:39804624View source ↗
🇪🇺

Kersmanc P et al., Effects of Eight-Week Supplementation Containing Red Orange and Polypodium leucotomos Extracts on UVB-Induced Skin Responses: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Nutrients 2025 — 8-week RCT: minimal erythema dose increased 23.8% and erythema intensity dropped 46.2% in PLE+ROE supplementation group

2025Positive (efficacy)PMID:40218997View source ↗
🇪🇺

Rodriguez-Luna A et al. (Spain), Clinical Applications of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock): An Update, Life (Basel) 2023;13(7):1513

2023Meta-analysis (positive)PMID:37511888View source ↗

Sources: 10 clinical journals and regulatory databases across the US, EU, Korea, Japan, and China. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for the full list and what each outcome label means.