Tomato and lycopene supplements for sun-damaged skin
What it found
In people, taking tomato or lycopene supplements was linked to less skin redness, less pigmentation and changes in skin markers after UV exposure.
The authors say these products may help protect skin from sun damage.
What they found
Studies in people
Skin redness
Taking tomato or lycopene supplements was linked to a significant drop in Δa*, a measure of skin redness. The authors say this means less skin erythema formation.
Skin pigmentation
Supplementation was linked to a significant reduction in skin pigmentation. The authors say this improves the appearance and pigmentation of the skin.
Skin markers
Levels of MMP-1 and ICAM-1 fell significantly with tomato and lycopene supplementation. These are molecular markers measured in the studies.
MED, thickness and density
Supplementation was linked to a significant rise in MED (minimal erythema dose), skin thickness and skin density. The authors say this helps prevent light-induced skin photodamage and photoaging.
What the authors conclude
“Lycopene-rich products could be used as endogenous sun protection and may be a potential nutraceutical for sun protection.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that supplementation with tomato and lycopene could reduce skin erythema formation and improve the appearance and pigmentation of the skin.
- They say this could prevent light-induced skin photodamage and skin photoaging.
- They suggest lycopene-rich products could be used as endogenous sun protection and may be a potential nutraceutical for sun protection.
How it was done
Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that has been studied for protection against ultraviolet radiation, and it is one of the most effective carotenoids at mopping up reactive oxygen species.
The authors searched five electronic databases from their beginnings to January 2021 with no restrictions. Out of 19336 publications, 21 met the inclusion criteria and were pooled in a meta-analysis. The studies were population intervention experiments in healthy subjects.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- The review pooled intervention trials in healthy people, so it can show links between supplementation and skin changes, but it cannot prove that tomato or lycopene alone caused them.
- It cannot show whether these products protect against skin cancer or other long-term sun damage.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Zhengzhou University, China
The paper
- Title
- The effect of tomato and lycopene on clinical characteristics and molecular markers of UV-induced skin deterioration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials
- Type
- Systematic review and meta-analysisThe authors follow a set, published method to find every relevant study, then combine the numbers from them into one result.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Zhang X, Zhou Q, Qi Y, et al (2024). The effect of tomato and lycopene on clinical characteristics and molecular markers of UV-induced skin deterioration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2164557PubMed 36606553DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error