The skin is shielding our organism from exogenous threats including solar radiation. Carotenoids which are ingested with the diet accumulate in the skin with the highest levels occurring in skin of the forehead and in the palms of the hands. Blood and skin levels of carotenoids increase during supplementation and due to their antioxidant properties and UV-absorbing effects carotenoids are used as photoprotective agents. Systemic photoprotection with carotenoids after supplementation or ingestion of a carotenoid rich diet has been demonstrated in several human intervention studies. Although protection is only moderate it may contribute to UV protection in combination with other measures. Beyond photoprotection, ingestion of carotenoids has been postulated to be of additional benefit for cutaneous tissue and influences moisture and texture or elasticity of the skin. However, only a limited number of studies is available yet to substantiate such a claim.

皮肤使我们的有机体免受包括太阳辐射在内的外来威胁。饮食中摄入的类胡萝卜素在皮肤中积累，最高水平出现在前额皮肤和手掌中。在补充过程中，血液和皮肤中类胡萝卜素的含量会增加，并且由于其抗氧化性能和紫外线吸收作用，类胡萝卜素可用作光保护剂。在一些人体干预研究中，已证明在补充或摄入富含类胡萝卜素的饮食后，对类胡萝卜素进行了全身性光保护。尽管防护只是中等程度，但与其他措施结合使用可能有助于防紫外线。除了光保护，假定摄入类胡萝卜素对皮肤组织有额外的好处，并且会影响皮肤的水分和质地或弹性。但是，只有有限的研究可以证实这种说法。