If you care about protecting your skin from sun damage, you've probably already altered your outdoor regimen to include wearing sunblock and UV-protective clothing. You may even be limiting your exposure to the sun to early morning and late afternoon, when ultraviolet rays are least harmful. But did you know that the foods you eat can also help protect your skin from the sun's damaging rays? Here's how.

As surprising as it may sound, some foods have properties that actually increase the SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, of our skin. Consuming a quarter cup of tomato paste, for instance, may be every bit as helpful as sunblock in protecting the skin from sunburn. The Athens Medical School in England, which released the information from a study on sun-blocking foods, also touts dark greens such as spinach, which contain antioxidants that destroy free radicals from sunlight.

Some of these antioxidants, such as carotenoids, give foods their colors and help protect plants from the sun. When we consume these plants, we get similar protection from harmful rays.

Among the foods that can help protect skin from the ravages of the sun are leafy greens, carrots, green tea, sweet potatoes and dark chocolate. One serving of greens a day, for instance, can help reduce recurrence of skin cancer by as much as 50 percent.

Products from Subtle Green, designed to repair UV ray damage to the skin such as sun spots and wrinkling, also help nourish and restore suppleness of the skin post sun exposure.

Other tips for preventing sun damage to the skin:

Visit Subtle Green to learn more about how our custom-care products can rejuvenate sun-damaged skin to restore a healthy glow.