According to a study conducted by scientists from the Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Germany, there is new evidence to suggest that mixed carotenoids can protect our skin from within.
The research indicated that oral consumption of the compound can protect from both UVB-induced erythema and UVA-induced pigmentation, to preserve the long-term health and appearance of our skin.
The study noted that 12 weeks of supplementation with a product which increased skin carotenoid levels led to a correlational rise in its ability to protect itself against both UVA and UVB irradiation.
Writing on the subject, researchers pointed out that these findings were in line with an earlier study, which had also shown that orally administered carotenoids led to a decrease in sensitivity to UVA radiation.
They explained that their clinical trial not only corroborated these earlier findings but also provided the first clinical evidence of the phenomena.
How the study was conducted
In order to produce their findings, researchers from the Leibniz Research Institute carried out a randomised double-blind study, which included - crucially - a placebo group to offset their findings.
This followed 60 volunteers with various skin types, ranging from fair skin that burned easily through to skin that tanned well. Those taking part were then randomly assigned to receive either the carotenoids or a placebo three times a day for 12 weeks.
The results were illuminating. The study indicated that after only three months of supplementation, the skin of those who had taken the oral carotenoids demonstrated an increased resistance to UVA-induced pigmentation and UVA radiation.
In addition, they discovered that the minimal amount of energy needed to redden the skin also increased, suggesting that the carotenoids were effectively protecting against UVB-induced erythema. They hypothesised that this most likely came from the anti-oxidant effects of the compound.
Interestingly, those involved in the study posited that as their findings related to healthy subjects who had not had any dietary restrictions imposed upon them, they may therefore be relevant to the wider population.
The reason for this was that carotenoids could theoretically have two beneficial effects for society as a whole: protecting against the damaging effects of the sun on our skin and reducing against the cosmetic blemishes that could result as well.
While they did caution that further clinical work was required before any firm conclusions could be drawn, this nonetheless provides evidence that a diet or supplement that is high in natural carotenoids can be highly beneficial for the overall health of our skin.
Other background information.
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