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New 'Drinkable' Sunscreen Protects Skin From Inside Out, Or Does It?

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) -- There's a new sunscreen that promises never to leave you with greasy skin, or weird tan lines.

You don't apply it – you drink it.

It's called UVO, the "first liquid supplement that protects your skin from the inside out," according to the company's website.

According to the directions, drink just one 12-ounce bottle 30 minutes before sun exposure, and get 3 to 5 hours of protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays.

But is drinkable sunscreen really a protective summer cocktail for your skin?

Dermatologist Emanual Maverakis says drinking sunscreen is a great idea in theory, but if you're not careful, you could get burned.

"There is no SPF rating for these products," said Maverakis. "If you were to rate them they would probably have an SPF of less than two, so they're not providing much sun protection."

Skin experts recommend using an SPF 15 sunscreen daily, and reapplying every couple of hours.

According to the company's preliminary clinical trials, on average, it took 40% more sun exposure to create a sunburn after people drank UVO.

But Maverakis said those trials promote more hype than science.

"I would say the same thing that the Academy of Dermatology says. Oral supplements are not a replacement for your topical sunscreens," he said.

UVO is not recommended for children under the age of 6. One bottle costs about $5. The main ingredients are water, orange juice and peach juice (from concentrate), but it's also packed with vitamins like Lycopene, Zinc, Coenzyme Q10, Biotin and Vitamin D.

Tiffany Hazelhurst says the natural ingredients would work with her family's vegan lifestyle.

"If I read the ingredient list and there were no chemicals in it, we would look into it, absolutely," said Hazelhurst. "That's what we do with everything."

Even with all these nutrients, products like UVO are considered a dietary supplement, and are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Maverakis is quick to point out, there isn't anything dangerous about drinkable sunscreens like UVO, because it's vitamin-based. Still, he recommends sun lovers consult with a dermatologist before they try it.

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