Background: Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause depletion of the antioxidant substances contained in the epidermis. This is the rationale for the use of topical antioxidant substances.
Methods: We studied the protective activity against UV radiation of a product based on lycopene and a product containing a mixture of vitamins E and C. Photostimulation was applied with a solar simulator and the cutaneous response was evaluated instrumentally.
Results: The lycopene-based product had a much greater protective ability than the product containing the mixture of vitamins.
Conclusions: Lycopene has suitable characteristics to be used successfully in the prevention of cutaneous damage by free radicals. Its antioxidant ability is probably due to its high reductive power.