Lyc-O-Mato®, Healthy Skin Under the Sun

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—Tomato lycopene complex (as Lyc- O-Mato®, LycoRed) was found to have sun protective properties, helping to prevent premature aging of the skin. Presented by Yossi Levy, Ph.D., professor of clinical biochemistry at Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, Israel, at the Cosmeceutical Summit in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the two studies show oral consumption of carotenoids (lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene) from tomato helps maintain healthy skin by protecting it against UV-induced damage.

The first study, conducted at the University of Düsseldorf, Germany, examined the photo-protective effects of both natural Lyc- O-Mato and synthetic lycopene. Both affected a decrease in the reddening of the skin of the participants indicating protection from UVinduced damage; however, the group that ingested synthetic lycopene showed only a 25 percent reduction in redness, whereas Lyc-O-Mato afforded superior protection with a 38 percent reduction.

The second study, conducted at the Universities of Witten/Herdecke and Düsseldorf, Germany, involved three groups of participants. Two different antioxidant supplements containing carotenoids and selenium were tested for their impact on skin structure and health. Groups one and two received different levels of a mixture of lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and selenium; group three (control) received placebo. After 12 weeks, participants in the intervention groups showed a significant increase in skin density and thickness, improvement in skin smoothness and softness and reduced scaling—there was no improvement in the placebo group.

“Topical application of the currently available sun care products provides limited protection against UV light because no matter how good the products are, some of the light still penetrates deep into the skin causing damage and wrinkling.” said Levy.

For more information, visit www.lycored.com  or Booth #1506 at SupplySide East.