From Anirva, the maker of Dermal Radiance. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
You may have heard that tomatoes are good for the skin. The idea comes from lycopene, the pigment that makes tomatoes red, and from a set of human studies on tomato products and skin. Here we look at what lycopene is and how it may work in skin, the human studies, how much is in Dermal Radiance, food sources and safety.
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- Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes. It is a carotenoid and an antioxidant [1][2].
- In a 12-week trial, lycopene by mouth was followed by less skin redness after UV light. The trial used about 10 mg a day from three kinds of product [5].
- A tomato paste trial found collagen-related changes. Skin made less of a collagen-breakdown enzyme after UV light, and a marker of new collagen rose [4].
- A later study showed the same effect on the collagen-breakdown gene. It used a lycopene-rich tomato extract for 12 weeks [6].
- Dermal Radiance contains 8 mg of lycopene. Lycopene is absorbed with the help of fat, so it is taken with a meal [2][7].
What is lycopene?
Lycopene is a natural pigment made by plants. It gives tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava their red color [1][2].
Lycopene is a carotenoid, like beta-carotene and lutein. Unlike beta-carotene, the body does not turn lycopene into vitamin A [2].
How might lycopene work in skin?
Antioxidant activity (lab studies)
Lycopene acts as an antioxidant [1]. In test-tube studies, it is one of the most effective carotenoids at neutralizing singlet oxygen [2].
Collagen
UV light switches on MMP-1, an enzyme that breaks collagen down. In two human studies described below, tomato products rich in lycopene limited this response [4][6]. In one of them, a marker of new collagen also rose [4].
What does the research show?
The research on lycopene and skin is still growing. Five human studies give the clearest picture, and most of them used tomato products.
A 2001 study of tomato paste
In 2001, researchers studied 19 volunteers for 10 weeks. Nine of them ate 40 g of tomato paste, with about 16 mg of lycopene, and 10 g of olive oil each day. The other ten had the olive oil alone [3].
At week 10, skin redness after UV light was 40% lower in the tomato paste group than in the olive oil group. At week 4, the groups did not differ [3].
A 2003 trial of a carotenoid mix
In 2003, a placebo-controlled trial tested a mix of three carotenoids: lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene, at 8 mg each a day. Each group had 12 volunteers, and the trial ran for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, skin redness after UV light was significantly lower than at the start [9].
A 2005 trial of three lycopene products
In 2005, researchers compared three products for 12 weeks. Each gave about 10 mg of lycopene a day. One was synthetic lycopene, one was a tomato extract, and one was a tomato drink [5].
After 12 weeks, skin redness after UV light was 25% lower with synthetic lycopene. It was 38% lower with the tomato extract and 48% lower with the tomato drink [5].
A 2011 trial on redness and collagen
In 2011, researchers in Manchester ran a randomized trial in 20 healthy women aged 21 to 47. One group ate 55 g of tomato paste, with 16 mg of lycopene, in olive oil each day. The other group had the olive oil alone. The trial lasted 12 weeks [4].
In the tomato paste group, more UV light was needed to produce the same redness. Skin samples showed less of the MMP-1 enzyme after UV light. Procollagen, a marker of new collagen, rose, and skin cells showed less UV-related DNA damage [4].
A 2017 study on collagen-related genes
In 2017, a double-blind crossover study followed 65 healthy volunteers. They took a lycopene-rich tomato extract for 12 weeks and a placebo for 12 weeks. The tomato extract fully blocked the UV-triggered rise in three genes, including the gene for MMP-1. Lycored, a supplement ingredient company, supplied the products and paid for the study [6].
Lycopene is not a sunscreen. Experts suggest daily sunscreen and shade for sun care.
Study summary
| Study | People | Amount a day | Length | Main result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stahl et al., 2001 [3] | 19 volunteers | 40 g tomato paste (about 16 mg lycopene) | 10 weeks | Redness after UV 40% lower than in the control group |
| Heinrich et al., 2003 [9] | 12 per group | 8 mg each of lycopene, lutein, beta-carotene | 12 weeks | Less redness after UV |
| Aust et al., 2005 [5] | Three groups | About 10 mg lycopene | 12 weeks | Redness after UV 25% to 48% lower |
| Rizwan et al., 2011 [4] | 20 women, 21–47 | 55 g tomato paste (16 mg lycopene) | 12 weeks | Less MMP-1 after UV; procollagen rose; less redness |
| Grether-Beck et al., 2017 [6] | 65 volunteers | Lycopene-rich tomato extract | 12 weeks | UV-triggered rise in three genes, including MMP-1, was blocked |
How much lycopene is in Dermal Radiance compared with the studies?
| Source | Lycopene a day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dermal Radiance (2 capsules) | 8 mg | From the label [7] |
| 2003 carotenoid mix trial | 8 mg | With 8 mg lutein and 8 mg beta-carotene, for 12 weeks [9] |
| 2005 trial of three products | About 10 mg | For 12 weeks [5] |
| 2001 tomato paste study | About 16 mg | From 40 g of tomato paste, for 10 weeks [3] |
| 2011 tomato paste trial | 16 mg | From 55 g of tomato paste, for 12 weeks [4] |
Dermal Radiance provides 8 mg of lycopene. This matches the amount in the 2003 carotenoid mix trial. It is close to the 10 mg used in the 2005 trial and lower than the 16 mg in the two tomato paste studies. The studies tested lycopene or tomato products by themselves, so their results do not describe Dermal Radiance as a whole.
Food sources of lycopene
Tomato products are the richest sources [2]:
- Canned tomato paste, 1 cup: 75.5 mg
- Tomato juice, 1 cup: 22 mg
- Watermelon, 1 cup: 6.9 mg
- One medium raw tomato: 3.2 mg
Cooking helps. The body takes up much more lycopene from tomatoes that have been heated in oil [2]. Lycopene also needs some fat in the meal to be absorbed [2].
What the research does not show yet
- The studies were small, with 19 to 65 people, and lasted 10 to 12 weeks.
- Most used tomato products, which contain other plant compounds besides lycopene. In the 2005 trial, the tomato products did more than synthetic lycopene [5].
- We found no study of lycopene combined with the other Dermal Radiance ingredients.
Safety and interactions
Lycopene is part of a normal diet, and it has a good safety record. Eating very large amounts of tomato products for a long time can give the skin an orange tint [1].
European regulators set an acceptable daily intake of 0.5 mg per kilogram of body weight, from all sources [8]. For a 70 kg (154 lb) adult, that is 35 mg a day, by our calculation. Dermal Radiance has 8 mg.
- Take it with a meal that has some fat. The body absorbs lycopene better that way [2].
- Cooked tomato dishes made with oil are a good way to add lycopene from food [2].
- If you take prescription medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start a new supplement.
Lycopene is one part of Dermal Radiance
Dermal Radiance is a daily two-capsule supplement with 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. They were chosen to support healthy collagen, skin firmness and elasticity, and radiance. Lycopene is one of them.
Dermal Radiance has not been clinically tested as a finished product. For this reason, we cannot say how its ingredients work together. The studies in this article tested lycopene or tomato products by themselves.
If you take Dermal Radiance, you are not relying on lycopene alone. It is one of 20 ingredients in each serving. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label [7].
A daily skin supplement with 20 ingredients
Lycopene is one of 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts in Dermal Radiance, each listed with its amount on the label. Two capsules a day with a meal.
See the full ingredient listIf you are deciding
Lycopene has several human skin studies behind it, and much of that research used amounts you could also get from food. A supplement adds a steady daily amount to what you eat. If you would like to try Dermal Radiance, the directions are two capsules a day with a meal [7].
The short version
Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes and an antioxidant. In human studies of 10 to 12 weeks, lycopene and tomato products were followed by less skin redness after UV light. Two studies also found less of the enzyme that breaks collagen down. Dermal Radiance provides 8 mg of lycopene.
Frequently asked questions
Does lycopene help skin?
In human studies of 10 to 12 weeks, lycopene and tomato products were followed by less skin redness after a measured dose of UV light [3][4][5].
Does lycopene support collagen?
In a 12-week trial, tomato paste with 16 mg of lycopene led to less of the MMP-1 enzyme after UV light. A marker of new collagen also rose [4]. A later study found the same effect on the MMP-1 gene [6].
How much lycopene is used for skin?
Studies used 8 mg to 16 mg a day for 10 to 12 weeks [3][4][5][9]. Dermal Radiance provides 8 mg [7].
How long does lycopene take to work?
In one study, redness after UV light had not changed at week 4 and was 40% lower at week 10 [3]. The other studies ran for 12 weeks [4][5].
Is lycopene safe to take every day?
Lycopene is part of a normal diet and has a good safety record. Very large amounts over a long time can give skin an orange tint [1].
What foods are high in lycopene?
Tomato paste, puree, juice and soup are the richest sources. Watermelon and pink grapefruit also contain it [2].
Is cooked tomato better than raw for lycopene?
The body absorbs much more lycopene from tomatoes that have been heated in oil [2].
Is lycopene a sunscreen?
No. It does not replace sunscreen, shade or protective clothing.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs: Lycopene. Updated May 6, 2022. https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/lycopene (accessed October 3, 2026).
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Micronutrient Information Center: Carotenoids. Page dated January 5, 2026. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids (accessed October 3, 2026).
- Stahl W, Heinrich U, Wiseman S, Eichler O, Sies H, Tronnier H. Dietary tomato paste protects against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans. J Nutr. 2001;131(5):1449-1451. doi:10.1093/jn/131.5.1449. PMID: 11340098.
- Rizwan M, Rodriguez-Blanco I, Harbottle A, Birch-Machin MA, Watson REB, Rhodes LE. Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2011;164(1):154-162. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10057.x. PMID: 20854436.
- Aust O, Stahl W, Sies H, Tronnier H, Heinrich U. Supplementation with tomato-based products increases lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene levels in human serum and protects against UV-light-induced erythema. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2005;75(1):54-60. doi:10.1024/0300-9831.75.1.54. PMID: 15830922.
- Grether-Beck S, Marini A, Jaenicke T, Stahl W, Krutmann J. Molecular evidence that oral supplementation with lycopene or lutein protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation: results from a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Br J Dermatol. 2017;176(5):1231-1240. doi:10.1111/bjd.15080. PMID: 27662341.
- Anirva. Dermal Radiance Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/anti-aging-skin-supplement-dermal-radiance (accessed October 3, 2026).
- European Food Safety Authority. News item on the safety assessment of lycopene, April 14, 2008. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/080414 (accessed October 3, 2026).
- Heinrich U, Gärtner C, Wiebusch M, Eichler O, Sies H, Tronnier H, Stahl W. Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema. J Nutr. 2003;133(1):98-101. doi:10.1093/jn/133.1.98. PMID: 12514275.
