Paprika extract and UV skin damage in 46 people
What it found
Taking a daily paprika extract capsule for 4 weeks helped skin resist sunburn and reduced UV darkening in people.
It made no clear difference to normal facial skin.
What they found
Studies in people
Less sunburn redness
After 2 and 4 weeks, the paprika group needed more UV light to turn their skin red compared to the dummy group. The amount of light needed rose from 1.08 to 1.30 times their starting level by week 4.
Less UV skin darkening
At 4 weeks, the paprika group showed less darkening from UV exposure than the dummy group. Their skin also stayed lighter overall after UV exposure.
Tanning dose changes
The amount of UV needed to cause tanning rose in the paprika group over 4 weeks. The difference between groups at week 4 was close but did not reach statistical significance.
Facial skin unchanged
Taking the capsules made no significant difference to colour, moisture, or water loss on the cheek compared to the dummy group. Both groups saw some drying over the study period.
Other findings
Capsule contents
Each active capsule held 333 mg of paprika oil providing 9 mg of total xanthophylls, including 5 mg of capsanthin and 0.5 mg of beta-cryptoxanthin.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that taking red paprika xanthophylls daily reduces UV-triggered redness and skin darkening in people.
- They suggest that eating red paprika extract every day could lower oxidative stress in the skin and support skin health.
- They note that combining oral and topical xanthophyll treatments might work even better.
How it was done
Sunlight creates reactive molecules that inflame and darken skin. Red paprika contains pigments called xanthophylls that can neutralise these molecules, so the authors wanted to test whether eating them protects skin.
They gave 46 healthy adults aged 30 to 49 either a daily capsule with 9 mg of red paprika xanthophylls or a dummy capsule for 5 weeks. Researchers shone simulated sunlight on their backs at the start, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks to measure how much light it took to redden or tan the skin.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial lasted only 5 weeks, so it cannot show what happens if you take paprika extract for months or years.
- The volunteers were Japanese adults aged 30 to 49 with one specific skin type, so results may differ for other ages or skin tones.
- The study measured reactions to artificial UV light on the back, which may not match real outdoor sun exposure across the whole body.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Institute of Health Sciences, Ltd
The paper
- Title
- Effects of Dietary Paprika Xanthophylls on Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Damage: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Nishino A, Sugimoto K, Sambe H, Ichihara T, Takaha T, Kuriki T (2018). Effects of Dietary Paprika Xanthophylls on Ultraviolet Light-Induced Skin Damage: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of oleo science. doi:10.5650/jos.ess17265Free full textPubMed 29877227DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error