Overall skin tone and skin-lightening-improving effects with oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

• Published in: Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology Vol. 9; pp. 325 - 332
• Main Authors: Juturu, Vijaya, Bowman, James, Deshpande, Jayant
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01.01.2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Acne; Antioxidants; Antioxidants (Nutrients); Cancer; Carotenoids; Clinical trials; Diet; Disease; Double-blind studies; Energy resources; Family medical history; Fibroblasts; Free radicals; Fruits; Individual Typological Angle (ITA); Inflammation; Lipids; Lutein; Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED); Nutrition research; Original Research; Overall Skin Tone; Oxidative stress; Skin; Skin care; Skin Lightening; Ultraviolet radiation; Vegetables; Zeaxanthin Isomers (L/Zi); zeaxanthin isomers; overall skin tone; individual typological angle; minimal erythemal dose; lutein; skin lightening
• DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S115519
• ISSN: 1178-7015

Carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin isomers (L/Zi), filter blue light and protect skin from environmental factors including high-energy sources. These carotenoids may be able to block the formation of melanin pathways, decrease cytokines, and increase antioxidants. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial over a 12-week supplementation period. Fifty healthy people (50 healthy subjects were recruited and 46 subjects completed the study) (males and females, age: 18-45 years) with mild-to-moderate dry skin were included in this study. Skin type of the subjects was classified as Fitzpatrick skin type II-IV scale. Subjects were administered with either an oral dietary supplement containing 10 mg lutein (L) and 2 mg zeaxanthin isomers (Zi) (L/Zi: -zeaxanthin and ( )-zeaxanthin) or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The minimal erythemal dose and skin lightening (L*) were measured via the Chromameter . The individual typological angle was calculated. Subjective assessments were also recorded. Overall skin tone was significantly improved in the L/Zi group compared to placebo ( <0.0237), and luminance (L*) values were significantly increased in the L/Zi group. Mean minimal erythemal dose was increased with L/Zi supplementation after 12 weeks of supplementation. L/Zi supplementation significantly increased the individual typological angle. L/Zi supplementation lightens and improves skin conditions.