Cosmeceutical Benefits of Lycopene Revealed

As noted in a recent press release from England’s Newcastle University, research conducted by the school, in collaboration with the University of Manchester, has shown that lycopene from tomatoes could have cosmeceutical benefits, protecting the skin against sunburn and sun-induced aging. The results of the study were presented at the recent annual meeting of the British Society for Investigative Dermatology. 

In the study, researchers compared the skin of 20 people, half of whom were given 5 tablespoons (55 grams) of standard tomato paste with 10 grams of olive oil every day, with the other half receiving just olive oil, over a period of 12 weeks.

Each subject’s skin was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light at the beginning and end of the trial. The team found significant improvements in the skin’s ability to protect itself against UV in the group who had been eating tomato paste.

Compared to the control group, the group who had eaten the paste were found to have 33% more protection against sunburn. The researchers calculated the protection offered by the tomato paste to be equivalent to a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 1.3.

“The tomato diet boosted the level of procollagen in the skin significantly,” says Dr. Lesley Rhodes, professor of experimental dermatology, University of Manchester. Procollagen gives the skin its structure, and its loss leads to skin ageing and lack of elasticity. “These increasing levels suggest potential reversal of the skin ageing process. This is in addition to the significant reduction in sunburn.

“These weren’t huge amounts of tomato we were feeding the group,” continues Rhodes. “It was the sort of quantity you would easily manage if you eating a lot of tomato-based meals.” However, she cautions that “people should not think that tomatoes in any way can replace sun creams, but they may be a good additive. If you can improve your protection through your diet, then, over several years, this may have a significant effect.”

Many of the harmful effects of UV light are due to the excess production of reactive oxygen species, which can damage important skin structures. Sun damage from UV exposure includes premature wrinkles and skin cancer.

The tomato’s key skin saving property is the antioxidant lycopene. The researchers at Newcastle University found that the lycopene had reduced damage to mitochondrial DNA in the skin, which is also believed to be linked with skin ageing.

“Eating tomatoes will not make you invincible in the sun, but it may be a useful addition to sun protection along with sunscreens, shade and clothing,” says Mark Birch-Machin, Ph.D., professor of molecular dermatology, Newcastle University. “The protective effect of eating tomatoes on our mitochondria is important, as they are the energy producers in all our body cells including skin. Therefore, being kind to our mitochondria is likely to contribute to improved skin health, which in turn may have an anti-ageing effect.”

The team is now looking to start a new, longer-term study into the protective effects of lycopene on the skin.