Lycopene, the red pigment that gives tomatoes their color, is the most studied and potent of all of the antioxidants. Recently, the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine investigated the protective effects of topically applied lycopene against the photodamage seen in skin exposed to ultraviolet (UVB)-irradiation; the radiation that is responsible for sunburn. Application of lycopene to the skin inhibited ornithine decarboxylase and myeloperoxidase.
These two polyamines are important for stabilizing DNA structure in the nucleus of skin cells, the DNA double strand-break repair pathway, and as antioxidants. Therefore, ornithine decarboxylase is an essential enzyme for cell growth, producing the polyamines necessary to stabilize newly synthesized DNA. Topically applied lycopene also significantly reduced bifold skin thickness.

Application of topical lycopene prevented the breakup of caspase-3. Once broken up caspase-3 acts as a cell executioner in cell apoptosis, the normal death process of cells which must take place for new cells to regenerate. UVB irradiation completely diminished PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), and the skin not treated with lycopene maintained positively stained cells throughout the deep skin layers. Topical application of lycopene significantly reversed UVB-induced PCNA inhibition. PCNA is an antigen important for DNA synthesis and cell repair. Additionally, normal staining for PCNA was restored in the lycopene-treated skin. Furthermore, lycopene may act as a skin protecting agent by reducing inflammatory skin responses, maintaining normal cell proliferation, and possibly preventing DNA damage as indicated by blocking the necessary steps of normal cell death following UVB injury.

The importance of this research continues to emphasize the importance of topically applied lycopene to maintain healthy. Lycopene may help to prevent skin aging due to repeated exposure to environmental contaminants and free radicals as well as exposure to the damaging effects of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays responsible for sunburn, age spots, skin aging, and skin cancer. The importance of topically applied lycopene over lycopene take as a supplement resides in the fact that only topically applied lycopene results in high enough concentration in the skin to be of any benefit. Oral supplements disperse throughout all the tissues and organs of the body and do not build up high enough levels in the skin to be of any use.

Despite the myriad of skincare products containing all sorts of claimed antioxidants like resveratrol, acai, and pomegranate to name a few, only lycopene has been shown in actual medical studies to be of any benefit and continues to be the king of antioxidants.

Gary I Weinberger, MD is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has held teaching positions at both the University Hospital at the NYU School of Medicine and the University of Buffalo School of Health Sciences. He is currently the Executive Director of Paphos Skincare and in charge of research and product development. His area of expertise is the role of topically applied antioxidants and natural skin lightening products. More information and answers to your skincare question may be obtained on the Lycopene Skincare Blog.

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