Topical lycopene emulgel significantly improves biophysical parameters of human skin

Carotenoids, including lycopene, are promising antioxidants that sequester free radicals and counterbalance oxidative stress, preventing cardiovascular diseases, cancer, photo-damage, and decelerating aging. Fabricating the antioxidant effective and stable topical formulations with efficient skin penetration and preserving their activity by minimizing the oxidative damage due to ionization, pH extremes, high storage temperature, and metal ions, has been challenging. Herein, we developed a lycopene-based topical emulgel and investigated its impact on biophysical parameters of human skin using non-invasive in vivo techniques and sensory evaluation for consumer acceptability to bottleneck the demerits of conventional formulations. The results demonstrated that the designed formulation significantly enhanced the skin hydration and elasticity, p-value < 0.05, whereas erythema, melanin and sebum contents were considerably reduced, p-value < 0.05, when compared with placebo formulation over 12 weeks. These findings were attributed to the potent antioxidant potential of lycopene that was preserved in the stable formulation, halting the cascade of free radical-related subsequent reactions in the skin. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report about the topical effects of lycopene-based emulgel in human volunteers. Besides, the average scores by the volunteers concerning sensory evaluation at the end of the 12th week of the study indicated that the formulation will be commercially acceptable by the consumers. We believe that formulation will be valuable commercially in promoting the treatment of topical infections, such as acne, and oxidative stress-related skin disorders, and decelerating the aging process.

Automated summary

A lycopene-based topical emulgel was developed and demonstrated to have positive impacts on biophysical parameters of human skin, such as increased skin hydration and elasticity, and reduced erythema, melanin, and sebum contents. This was mainly attributed to the potent antioxidant potential of lycopene in the formulation. Additionally, sensory evaluation by volunteers indicated that the formulation would be commercially acceptable.