Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. 12-week supplementation of Lycomato resulted in 88% of female subjects experiencing improved skin elasticity, and 76% having improved skin firmness.
The skin is the largest and most exposed organ of the body, and it functions as a barrier against external aggressions1. Genetic and hormonal factors are intrinsically associated with skin aging, and environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation exposure are extrinsically associated with preventable skin aging2. Nutrition is another extrinsic factor that plays a vital role in the development of aging and aging-associated conditions3.
Clinical research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables improves skin health, and that plant-derived compounds reduced oxidative stress-induced skin damage4. Tomatoes are a source of phytochemicals and nutrients such as lycopene and vitamin C, and provide antioxidants, such as beta-carotene5. Benefits of lycopene and beta-carotene include protection against UV-induced sun damage, reduced oxidative stress, and anti-inflammatory activities6.
Tarshish et al. conducted an open-label study to observe the effects of once daily 12-week Lycomato supplementation on beneficial signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles and hydration levels, as observed by subject self-assessment and expert visual grading. Lycomato tomato extract contained 15 mg lycopene per soft gel, along with phytoene, phytofluene, natural tocopherols, beta carotene, and phytosterols. 50 female subjects were selected to partake in the study and were between the age of 35 and 55 who were interested in improving facial skin health and appearance.
Clinical assessments were conducted on the subject’s first visit (T0), and at visits 4 (T4w) and at 12 (T12w) weeks of product use in which the clinician confirmed compliance. A trained expert grader performed visual assessments on degree of facial aging using photographs taken at each time point (T0, T4w, and T12w). The Tewameter TM 300 was utilized by expert technicians to measure trans epidermal water loss and were measured at each time point. Subjects completed a subjective questionnaire at weeks 4 and 12 of Lycomato use to assess product efficacy. Student’s t test was utilized to determine statistical significance. Significant findings of the study are as follows:
- Periorbital fine lines reduced by 25% at 4 weeks and 41.4% at 12 weeks after Lycomato supplementation (p < 0.001). Furthermore, periorbital deeper wrinkles were reduced by 14.8% at 4 weeks and 26% after 12 weeks of Lycomato supplementation (p < 0.05).
- Lycomato improved skin brightness and luminosity by 7.9% (p < 0.05) and 13.5% (p < 0.001) after 4 weeks and 12 weeks of supplementation. Additionally, dark spot severity was reduced by 4.8% after 4 weeks of Lycomato use and 11.9% (p < 0.05) after 12 weeks.
- Skin texture improved significantly by 7% at 4 weeks and 10.8% (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks of Lycomato supplementation. Skin firmness significantly improved after 4 weeks (p < 0.05) by 8.28% and 14.4% (p < 0.001) after 12 weeks.
Results show that 12-week supplementation of antioxidant-rich Lycomato significantly improved periorbital fine lines, skin texture, hydration, and brightness. Further research should continue to explore the beneficial effects of carotenoid and lycopene-rich products on skin health using a larger study sample.
Source: Tarshish, Elizabeth, and Karin Hermoni. “Beauty from within: Improvement of skin health and appearance with Lycomato a tomato‐derived oral supplement.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2023).
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC
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Posted June 19, 2023.
Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.
References:
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- Kim JC, Park TJ, Kang HY. Skin-Aging Pigmentation: Who Is the Real Enemy? Cells. Aug 16 2022;11(16)doi:10.3390/cells11162541
- Umbayev B, Askarova S, Almabayeva A, Saliev T, Masoud AR, Bulanin D. Galactose-Induced Skin Aging: The Role of Oxidative Stress. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020;2020:7145656. doi:10.1155/2020/7145656
- Darawsha A, Trachtenberg A, Levy J, Sharoni Y. The Protective Effect of Carotenoids, Polyphenols, and Estradiol on Dermal Fibroblasts under Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). Dec 20 2021;10(12)doi:10.3390/antiox10122023
- Collins EJ, Bowyer C, Tsouza A, Chopra M. Tomatoes: An Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes and Factors That Can Affect Their Cultivation. Biology (Basel). Feb 4 2022;11(2)doi:10.3390/biology11020239
- Tarshish E, Hermoni K, Sharoni Y, Wertz PW, Dayan N. Effects of golden tomato extract on skin appearance-outlook into gene expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts and on trans-epidermal water loss and skin barrier in human subjects. J Cosmet Dermatol. Jul 2022;21(7):3022-3030. doi:10.1111/jocd.14527