title: Overall skin tone and skin-lightening-improving effects with oral supplementation of lutein and zeaxanthin isomers: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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:RR-zeaxanthin andRS(meso)-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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall skin tone was significantly improved in the L/Zi group compared to placebo (P<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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L/Zi supplementation lightens and improves skin conditions.
authors: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, OmniActive Health Technologies Inc., Morristown, NJ.
authors: Vijaya
authors: V
authors: Juturu
authors: James P Bowman & Associates LLC, Loveland, OH, USA.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Bowman
authors: Department of Scientific and Clinical Affairs, OmniActive Health Technologies Inc., Morristown, NJ.
authors: Jayant
authors: J
authors: Deshpande
keywords: individual typological angle; lutein; minimal erythemal dose; overall skin tone; skin lightening; zeaxanthin isomers