Lycopene improved skin appearance, function
- Fewer fine lines and wrinkles, better hydration
Maintaining a healthy, youthful appearance with age is a common desire, and carotenoids offer strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can improve the skin barrier function. In this study, 50 women, aged 35 to 55, took 15 mg of tomato-derived lycopene per day. There was no placebo group.
After 12 weeks, transepidermal water loss—meaning excess moisture evaporating through the skin—declined by 8.9 percent compared to the start of the study, signaling improved skin-barrier function and hydration. Fine lines surrounding the eyes decreased an average of 41.45 percent, and deeper eye wrinkles reduced by 26 percent.
Skin brightness, or radiance, also increased 13.5 percent, and skin tone, smoothness, and firmness, improved 18.3 percent. Discussing the findings, doctors said lycopene increased the skin-barrier function, and participants noticed the improvements in skin appearance.
REFERENCE: JOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY; 2023, VOL. 22, NO. 6, 1786-98
