Mixed carotenoid supplement protects skin from UVA and UVB rays, says recent study

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A recently published study¹ found that an orally administered supplement containing mixed carotenoids protected skin from UVB-induced erythema and UVA-induced pigmentation. In the study, 60 subjects were randomized to receive either placebo or a carotenoid supplement containing 4.25 mg of beta-carotene, 1.10 mg of alpha-carotene (from EVTene supplied by ExcelVite, Edison, NJ), 1.12 mg of lutein, and 0.053 mg of zeaxanthin, three times daily.

Researchers measured UVB-induced minimal erythemal dose (MED), UVA-induced minimal persistent pigmentation dose (MPPD), and skin carotenoid levels at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of intervention. Carotenoid levels in the skin were measured by a Biozoom device.

MPPD is used to assess the skin sensitivity to UVA irradiation, with an increase in MPPD indicating increased skin protection against UVA radiation. Results showed that the multi-carotenoid supplement significantly increased skin protection to UVA radiation at 8 and 12 weeks. MED designates skin sensitivity to UVB irradiation. Results showed that the multi-carotenoid supplement significantly increased skin protection against UVB radiation at 8 and 12 weeks of intervention. Carotenoid levels were also assessed at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after and results showed that the supplement significantly increased skin carotenoid levels at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

The researchers believe that because carotenoids are well-known antioxidants, the oral intake of carotenoids caused an increase in skin carotenoids and therefore the antioxidant capacity of the human skin. “It is now generally accepted that protection of human skin must include protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. While there are past studies that showed supplementation of carotenoids like beta-carotene could provide photoprotection, this is actually the first study that demonstrates the efficacy of wholesome natural mixed-carotenoids complex against both UVA and UVB radiation,” explained Bryan See, business development manager of ExcelVite, in a press release.
 

References:

1. Baswan SM et al. “Orally administered mixed carotenoids protect human skin against ultraviolet A-induced skin pigmentation: A doubleblind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.” Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, Published online ahead of print on February 18, 2020.