Sunscreen is used to protect the skin from sun effects such as skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common and increasing form of cancer in the United States. From lotions to sprays to sticks, consumers have many options when purchasing a sunscreen. Now there is a new addition to the market: sunscreen pills. There are a number of pills that claim to help protect us from the sun’s harmful effects but these claims are not verified by the FDA. The most popular sunscreen pill is Heliocare, which is made from extracts from a fern called polypodium leuctomos. The company claims that the anti-oxidants in the pill help to minimize the skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Sunscreen is applied physically to the skin, so how can a pill be as effective as a sunscreen? Taking a single pill cannot shield your skin from the inside out. Sunscreen lotions are the most effective form of skin protection and are approved by FDA. The FDA recommends using a sunscreen lotion of SPF 15 or higher.