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The natural pigment that gives tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava their red colour. |
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Abundant in the blood and prostate gland. |
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Among the common dietary carotenoids, Lycopene has the highest superior ability to quench the oxidative radicals. |
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However the human body cannot produce this molecule and needs to obtain it from tomatoes in our diet. |
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By ingesting tomatoes, preferably cooked tomatoes or Lycopene supplements. |
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Unfortunately dietary intake may not be sufficient to maximize skin benefits of Lycopene. |
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Lycopene is best absorbed if applied onto the skin directly as it is fat soluble and has relatively small molecules. |
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Lycopene appears to be particularly effective in the tissues with high fat and lipid content, like the skin. |
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| Besides its antioxidant properties, Lycopene also has: |
| High ability to improve skin texture |
- It is able to improve the function of cell-to-cell junctions and some aspects of cell metabolism, providing an additional benefit of improving skin texture.
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| Ability of blocking UV light |
- Though insufficient to protect from direct sun or any other harsh UV exposure, it is enough to reduce the effects of indirect sunlight - example sunlight that has passed through window panes in your office.
- Is able to protect skin against UVB-induced photo-damage.
- May also act as a preventative agent, reducing inflammatory responses, maintaining normal cell proliferation, and possibly preventing DNA damage.
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