Curious about the latest skin-saving sensation? We tapped into the wisdom of Dr. Noreen Galaria to reveal the secrets behind her revolutionary vegan sun protection gummy. Discover it all in our exclusive interview!
Hello Dr. Galaria, could you please introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a bit about your background, your journey as a dermatologist, and what led you to become the CEO and founder of Inner Glow Vitamins
Hi, Sure. My name is Noreen Galaria. I’m a board-certified Dermatologist with a laser and cosmetic fellowship and have been practicing for over 20 years. After spending time as an academic dermatologist; training residents and doing research and publishing papers, I moved into private practice 13 years ago and opened 3 offices outside of the DC area. After treating thousands of patients with hair loss and skin cancer I realized there were no good supplements available that had the combination of all required ingredients for hair and skin health, so over a 10-year period we began researching and creating our brand. Several years ago, we launched Inner Glow vitamins. A dermatologist and plastic surgeon developed a brand of skin nutraceuticals. I am currently the CEO of this company.
Could you tell us a bit more about your motivation behind creating the vegan sun protection gummy? What inspired you to develop this product?
Skin cancer is the fastest-growing cancer in America. 2023 is slated to be the hottest year on record and so the number of cases of skin cancer we see will only continue to rise. We need something in addition to sunscreen to help protect us from the sun. We all know the application and especially reapplication of sunscreen is imperfect and I wanted to create an easy-to-use, on-the-go sun protection boost that could be used by everyone including my vegetarian and vegan patients.
As a board-certified dermatologist, what specific skin concerns and needs does the vegan sun protection gummy address that traditional sunscreens might not?
I don’t see this as an alternative to sunscreen. I see it as an addition. The sun is responsible for 80% of our aging. If we did nothing for anti-aging but protected ourselves from the sun we would age much slower. Combine this with the growing cases of skin cancer from sun exposure and I think additional ways to combat sun damage are crucial.
What makes the vegan sun protection gummy unique and different from other sun protection products on the market?
To my knowledge, this is the first gummy to provide sun protection. There are formulas on the market that have Polypodium leucotomos leaf(the fern that is scientifically proven to provide sun protection) and Niacinamide but a vegan, sugar-free gummy that everyone can take is a unique sun protection boost that has not been available until now.
Could you share some of the key science-backed ingredients used in the formulation of the sun protection gummy and their benefits for skin health?
Polypodium leuctomos leaf comes from South America and has been used for centuries by local tribes. They used to brew it as a tea to provide sun and anti-oxidant protection from the elements. A lot of research has been done on this drug-free fern to ensure it is safe for consumption.
We also include Niacinamide for its skin protective and rejuvenating benefits. We have a lot of studies in our dermatology literature showing niacinamide slows the development of skin cancers. And we also include passion fruit since we are passionate about skincare. The combination of ingredients helps protect and repair the skin.
How do you ensure the efficacy and safety of the product? Are there any clinical studies or research supporting its claims?
Our products are Non-GMO, Vegan, Halal, Kosher, Sugar-free, Gluten-free, and made with only science-backed ingredients. We are also 3rd party verified to ensure that our claims are accurate.
We have an ongoing research study. I will share a slide from it showing how much a patient sunburns without our gummy and then after eating the gummy.
What kind of results can users expect from incorporating the vegan sun protection gummy into their daily routine?
With the gummy, our patients notice that it takes longer to sunburn. Over time they will also see slower photoaging.
Given your expertise in dermatology, what other skincare tips do you recommend for maintaining healthy and youthful-looking skin?
Sun protection is number one! I also recommend for patients who are not pregnant start using retinol in their late 20s. Our collagen begins to slowly break down in our 30s so keeping it plump by starting early with sunscreen and retinol will help to prevent fine lines and crepiness.
The product also claims to have antioxidant properties and supports anti-aging. How do these benefits work in conjunction with its sun protection capabilities?
Yes, polypodium has strong antioxidant properties and the extra sun protection provided by these ingredients also contributes to its ability to slow aging.
With the increasing demand for vegan and cruelty-free products, how do you envision this gummy supplement fitting into the beauty and wellness industry?
I believe there is a need for more vegan products in our industry and I hope the growing demand will lead more companies to try and create these products.
Are there any plans to expand your product line in the future, addressing other skincare needs or concerns?
We are currently really focused on launching this product. We already have Age Defense which is another vegan product that provides both acute and chronic photoaging protection. These 2 products definitely provide everything that you could take in supplement form to slow your photoaging and sunburn. But as a dermatologist/plastic surgeon team, we are well situated to see new science and research as it emerges and adjusts or creates new products if necessary.
ABOUT Dr. Noreen Galaria
Dr. Noreen Galaria was born and raised in Canada and now lives with her husband and children in Northern Virginia.
She is a Board Certified Dermatologist and is fellowship trained in Laser Medicine and Cosmetic Surgery. Dr. Noreen Galaria graduated Summa Cum Laude from Jefferson Medical College (Philadelphia, PA) where she was the #1 medical student in her class and received the prestigious William Potter Award for excellence in Clinical Medicine.
After completing her training in Dermatology, Dr. Noreen Galaria was an Instructor at the University of Rochester and an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah and at Primary Children’s Hospital. At the University of Utah, she was consistently ranked among the top dermatologists for providing the highest level of patient satisfaction.
During her academic career, she was responsible for teaching future generations of dermatologists. Dr. Noreen Galaria has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and is the author of several book chapters. She has presented papers at major national meetings including the American Academy of Dermatology, the Society of Investigative Dermatology, and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
Dr. Galaria has an interest in medical and aesthetic dermatology but also enjoys decorating and also has a degree in Interior design. She is a Girl Scouts troop leader and was the STEM chair at Hunter Woods Elementary School. In addition, she enjoys humanitarian work and contributes time to multiple organizations. Dr.Galaria is a Foundation trustee at the University of Virginia. She is the founder and CEO of Inner Glow vitamins and serves on the scientific committee of the Virginia Dermatologic Society. She is also an adjunct professor who teaches Dermatology to future providers at GW and Georgetown Medical School.
