Since I grew up nearby famous beach in Japan, I've never ever worried about getting tan. I was kidding around in the sand almost every day in summertime, got tan like well-toasted bread. I couldn't wait to see my friend on September 1st - the first day of second trimester in Japan - with so many unforgettable memories and bunch of homework that we owe (yes, August 31st is the last day to have done all that stuff with headache). Summer vacation for school age is only 42 days, not like one in here, but we still had countless of fun stuff during that period.
When I was 19, I found some dark spot on my cheek after coming back from beach with obvious tan line. I asked mom, "what a heck this is??". She replied calmly "that's the proof of that 'you are not that young to get outside without sunblock'. So you can't go anywhere without sunblock anymore."
So you think this is NOT a food-related post again, but absolutely yes.
My mom said "eat carrot like bunny, beta carotene helps to heal your skin damage". I followed that. I stuck to carrot diet for a while. And she added "lycopine in tomato also helps you" so I add tomato juice on the faith of mom's secret.
I still stick to vitamin-rich diet since then. To keep their skin fair-and-clear is kinda social status in Japan. Most of Japanese actress has flawless fair skin (even it's a bit yellowish) so general consumer like me always tries to keep it like that.
But why should we stay all day under the shade even it's beach? Why should we so protective like painting whole body with messy SPF50 lotion? It's summer(and almost over). We have a right to enjoy it. Don't cry over spots. If you made it, you fix it.
Years later, I haven't masked my face with high-SPF lotion any more. Just dust a bit of zinc-oxide powder for natural looking sun protection, and eat a lot of veggies to prevent/heal sun damage. I believe that's enough to maintain my skin.
Now I'm secretly developing new items. Something that you guys eat more veggies handy and yummy. See? You are not alone.
Well, again, I consume veggies like dinosaur. Do I look young? or very age appropriate?