UV-induced skin damage

Overview

Lycopene is the only supplement studied for UV-induced skin damage, with four small trials. Taking 10–16 mg daily for about three months, either from tomato paste or a tomato extract, appeared to protect skin from sunburn caused by experimental UV exposure compared with no supplementation.

Lycopene carries low effect-size, evidence, and trust ratings. Whether oral lycopene translates to meaningful sun protection in everyday settings remains uncertain. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for trial details across all four studies.

Effect graph

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Lycopene	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

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1 supplement for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

LycopeneView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceHighTrustMedium

Evidence Review

In small studies, taking lycopene (10–16 mg per day) for about 3 months, either from tomato paste or a tomato extract, helped protect the skin from sunburn caused by experimental UV exposure compared to those not taking it.

Browse 4 studies1 meta-analysis

MetaThe effect of tomato and lycopene on clinical characteristics and molecular markers of UV-induced skin deterioration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention trials2023

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 intervention trials found tomato and lycopene supplementation reduced UV-induced skin erythema, pigmentation, and MMP-1, and increased minimal erythema dose and skin density.

Effect: Benefit
Population: Healthy adults

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RCTTomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial2011n=20

A 12-week RCT of 20 healthy women given 55 g/day tomato paste (16 mg lycopene) found increased minimal erythema dose, reduced UV-induced MMP-1, and less mitochondrial DNA damage vs olive oil control.

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 55 g/day
Population: Women
Participants: 20
Avg age: ~33

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RCTSupplementation with tomato-based products increases lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene levels in human serum and protects against UV-light-induced erythema2005

A 12-week supplementation study found ~10 mg/day lycopene from tomato extract or drink increased serum lycopene and reduced UV-induced erythema by 25–48% vs synthetic lycopene (25% reduction).

Effect: Benefit
Duration: 12 weeks
Dose: 10 mg/day

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Clinical trialDietary tomato paste protects against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans2001n=10

A 10-week dietary intervention of 9 volunteers consuming 40 g/day tomato paste (16 mg lycopene) found 40% lower UV-induced erythema at week 10 vs olive-oil-only controls.

Effect: Benefit
Dose: 40 g
Population: Healthy adults
Participants: 10

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Evidence visualised

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Effect-size distribution

How large the reported benefits tend to be

Study distribution across 1 supplements for uv-induced skin damage (4 studies total).
Supplement	DEX	Studies	Meta-analyses	Share
Lycopene	★★★★★52%	4	1	100%

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Overview

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