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
4 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.
Cited research
Natarelli N et al., Oral Supplements and Photoprotection: A Systematic Review, Journal of Medicinal Food 2025
Zundell MP, Katz A, Shah M, Burshtein J, Rigel D, Zakria D, The Utility of Oral Polypodium Leucotomos Extract for Dermatologic Diseases: A Systematic Review, Journal of Drugs in Dermatology 2025;24(4):346-351 — systematic review of PLE evidence across photoaging, skin cancer, actinic keratosis, photodermatoses, melasma, vitiligo, and atopic dermatitis
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
Rodriguez-Luna A et al. (Spain), Clinical Applications of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock): An Update, Life (Basel) 2023;13(7):1513
Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.