The Potency of Natural Carotenoids as a UV-Skin Protection and Sunburn Prevention: Review

Abstract

UV rays not only create unpleasant skin disorders including redness, rough skin, wrinkles, and pigmentation, but they are also responsible for the development of skin malignancies, therefore we need to protect our skin against exposure to UV rays. Carotenoids are metabolites commonly found in plants, often acting as pigments that give yellow to red colors. Carotenoids are predicted to have activity against UV radiation, which can pose risks to the skin, such as sunburn. This systematic literature review was carried out to explore the effects of carotenoids and plants containing carotenoids in protecting skin against UV rays exposures, and to investigate other plants containing carotenoids that were expected to have a potential as a natural UV filter and sunburn prevention. Carotenoids and some plants containing carotenoids are proven as anti-UV and sunburn prevention agents, but further re-examination needs to be done to produce anti-UV preparations with natural active ingredients that are guaranteed for their safety and effective use.