Surprising Skin Benefits with Tomato Lycopene Complex

A daily regimen that provides year-round protection and beauty to the skin, our largest organ, is the way of the future. That’s why the results of this Lyc-O-Mato study so compelling.

11/11/08 A recently completed double blind, placebo controlled study yielded surprising results which have prompted a move by the Israeli firm, LycoRed Ltd., to file for patent protection on this new invention. The study has demonstrated that supplementation with LycoRed’s Lyc-O-Mato tomato extract helps protect the skin against damage from UV radiation by reducing sunburn cell formation and protecting the skin immune system by slowing down the depletion of Langerhans cells, following exposure to UVB/UVA solar simulator. 

“These findings are important on two counts.” reports Zohar Nir Ph.D., Vice President of New Product Development for LycoRed Ltd. “First,” Dr. Nir continued, “sunburn cell formation is indicative of photo-damage to the skin, and second, depletion of Langerhans cells negatively affects the important immune function of the skin. The fact that oral supplementation with an antioxidant-rich, natural tomato extract can help protect the health and immune integrity of the skin, has significant ramifications for the way we look at skin care.” 

Subjects in this study consumed their normal diet, supplemented by either Lyc-O-Mato capsules providing 10mg lycopene per day, or a placebo, for ten weeks. At the end of the study period, subjects were exposed to UV radiation from a solar simulator, following which, skin cells were sampled and assessed.  The Lyc-O-Mato group showed a sunburn cell count that was six times lower than in the placebo group, and showed evidence of reduced depletion of Langerhans cells.

David Djerassi, cosmetic industry expert and a coordinator of the study, was very enthusiastic about the possibilities suggested by these study results. “Traditionally skin protection has been about topical application of a lotion or cream containing UVB/UVA filters to specific areas of the skin prior to sun exposure.” says Djerassi. “Today, we are seeing a new trend toward full body protection based on daily supplementation, which can support beautiful skin from within as well.  A daily regimen that provides year-round protection and beauty to the skin, our largest organ, is the way of the future.  That’s why I find the results of this Lyc-O-Mato study so compelling.”

Lyc-O-Mato is a natural tomato extract containing a complex of powerful antioxidants including lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, beta-carotene and tocopherols.  Suitable for soft gel encapsulation, Lyc-O-Mato is available from LycoRed Ltd., a nutrition industry innovator dedicated to the marketing of cutting-edge natural dietary ingredients with therapeutic benefits. LycoRed partners with customers in creating innovative nutrition.