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Phytoene and Phytofluene (Colorless Carotenoids)

Evidence Level
Limited
5 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

Phytoene and phytofluene are two colorless carotenoids found in tomatoes and other fruits such as apricot and watermelon. In the plant they are early building blocks on the way to lycopene, so they sit one and two steps before that red pigment and carry no color of their own. They are sold by mouth, usually as tomato nutrient complexes of the Lycomato type that also contain lycopene, rather than as isolated compounds. Most oral studies have looked at the skin after sun exposure, measuring redness, tone and texture, and at how much the two carotenoids build up in blood and skin. Unlike the colored pigments lycopene and beta-carotene, they absorb light in the ultraviolet range in the laboratory, which has drawn interest for skin research. That light-absorbing property is a bench measurement, not sun protection: these supplements are taken by mouth and are not a sunscreen.

Studied Dose Taken by mouth as part of tomato nutrient complexes. One UVB trial used about 5.8 mg/day of phytoene plus phytofluene (with 15 mg lycopene and other tomato nutrients). Blood levels rose within 1 to 4 weeks; skin studies ran 12 to 16 weeks.
Active Compound Phytoene and phytofluene, colorless carotenoids that are the biosynthetic precursors of lycopene; supplied mainly by tomato nutrient complexes alongside lycopene and other tomato carotenoids.

Benefits

Skin tone, texture and firmness with tomato carotenoid supplements

In a study of 60 women aged 35 to 55, taking a tomato carotenoid supplement for 12 weeks was followed by self-rated gains in skin tone, brightness, firmness, texture, hydration and fine lines. The ratings came from questionnaires with no placebo group, and the supplement was a mix of tomato carotenoids made by its sponsor, so the scores reflect perceived change rather than a controlled measurement.

Supported by Trial 3

Antioxidant carotenoids that build up in blood and skin

Taken by mouth, phytoene and phytofluene are absorbed and raise their own levels in blood, which also lifts total carotenoid status. In controlled work, plasma phytoene and phytofluene rose within one to four weeks of a tomato complex, and serum levels climbed over 12 weeks of tomato products. These are antioxidant pigments measured in the body, not a measure of any health outcome.

Supported by Trial 3, Trial 1

Lower UV-induced skin redness in supplementation trials

After 12 weeks, tomato products that supplied phytoene and phytofluene alongside lycopene lowered the rise in a skin redness reading after a set dose of simulated sunlight, more than synthetic lycopene alone in one study. A later controlled trial also found less UV-induced redness on the active supplement. Any effect is small, builds over weeks, and does not replace sunscreen.

Supported by Trial 1

Skin barrier and trans-epidermal water loss

In 65 people who took a tomato extract capsule once a day for 16 weeks, water loss through the skin fell in those who started with high trans-epidermal water loss but did not change in those whose values were already low. The study was run by the ingredient maker and measured skin-surface readings rather than long-term skin health.

Supported by Trial 4

UV-exposed skin markers of oxidative stress

In a crossover study of 65 volunteers, 12 weeks of a lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex that also supplies phytoene and phytofluene blunted the rise in skin genes linked to oxidative stress and aging after ultraviolet exposure. These are gene-expression markers in small skin biopsies, not clinical skin outcomes, and the complex was a mixture rather than the colorless carotenoids alone.

Supported by Trial 5

Mechanism of action

1

Colorless carotenoids with laboratory UV absorption

Phytoene and phytofluene have fewer conjugated double bonds than colored carotenoids, so they carry no visible color and instead absorb light in the ultraviolet range in the laboratory (phytoene toward UVB, phytofluene toward UVA). This bench property is one reason they are studied for skin, but it is not sun protection in the body.

2

Quenching reactive oxygen species

Like other carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene can neutralize reactive oxygen species and quench excited molecules in laboratory tests. This antioxidant chemistry is offered as a rationale for the skin findings, but the trials did not measure it as a clinical outcome in people.

3

Dietary carotenoids that deposit in skin and tissues

Phytoene and phytofluene occur in tomato and several other fruits and are among the carotenoids readily found in human blood, milk, internal tissues and skin. Taken by mouth they are absorbed and distributed, which is why researchers suggest measuring them when assessing a person's overall skin carotenoid status.

Clinical trials

1
Tomato Products, Serum Carotenoids and UV Erythema
PubMed

Controlled supplementation study comparing synthetic lycopene, a tomato extract and a tomato drink for skin protection against simulated sunlight (Aust et al. 2005, Int J Vitam Nutr Res)

Healthy volunteers taking about 10 mg/day of lycopene for 12 weeks from synthetic lycopene, Lyc-o-Mato tomato extract, or a tomato drink.

All groups raised serum lycopene and total skin carotenoids; serum phytofluene and phytoene rose significantly only in the two tomato-based groups. The rise in a skin redness reading 24 hours after a set sunlight dose fell by about 25% with synthetic lycopene and more with the tomato extract and drink (about 38% and 48%), which the authors attribute in part to phytoene and phytofluene. A small study with no placebo group.

2
Tomato Nutrient Complex and UVB Response - Randomized Controlled Trial
PubMed

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter study of a carotenoid-rich tomato nutrient complex against broadband UVB (Groten et al. 2019, Skin Pharmacol Physiol)

149 healthy volunteers given a daily supplement with 15 mg lycopene, 5.8 mg phytoene and phytofluene, 0.8 mg beta-carotene, tocopherols and rosemary carnosic acid, or placebo, for 12 weeks.

The primary outcome, a change in the minimal erythemal dose judged by expert graders, did not differ between the active and placebo groups. The supplement did significantly reduce UVB-induced redness measured by chromametry and blunted the rise in the inflammatory markers IL6 and TNFalpha, and blood carotenoid levels rose. Mixed results: the threshold-redness outcome was null while the redness-intensity and marker outcomes favored the supplement.

3
Lumenato Tomato Carotenoids: Plasma Levels and Skin Self-Assessment
PubMed

Maker-run study of plasma carotenoid levels and self-assessed skin attributes after an oral tomato carotenoid supplement (Tarshish et al. 2022, J Cosmet Dermatol)

24 healthy volunteers for the blood measurements and 60 women aged 35 to 55 for the skin questionnaire, over 12 weeks.

Plasma phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene rose significantly after one to four weeks. Over 12 weeks, self-rated skin tone, brightness, firmness, texture, hydration, dark spots and fine lines improved, and the authors reported the ratings held after stopping. The skin part had no placebo group and relied on self-report, and the sponsor employs several authors.

4
Golden Tomato Extract and Skin Barrier (Trans-Epidermal Water Loss)
PubMed

Maker-run study pairing dermal-fibroblast gene expression with a human skin-barrier measurement after an oral tomato extract (Tarshish et al. 2022, J Cosmet Dermatol)

65 human subjects who took a golden tomato extract capsule once a day for 16 weeks, plus a separate cell-culture experiment.

Trans-epidermal water loss fell in subjects who began with high values but did not change in those with lower values at the start. In cultured skin cells the extract raised genes tied to innate immunity, DNA repair and detoxification. The human part measured skin-surface water loss rather than clinical outcomes, the cell work is laboratory data, and the maker employs or paid the authors.

5
Tomato Nutrient Complex and UV-Induced Skin Gene Markers - Crossover RCT
PubMed

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study of oral lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex and lutein against UV-induced skin gene expression (Grether-Beck et al. 2017, Br J Dermatol)

65 healthy volunteers across four sequences, each taking the tomato nutrient complex or lutein for 12 weeks with placebo in the other phase.

The tomato nutrient complex, which also supplies phytoene and phytofluene, fully blocked the UV-induced rise in three skin genes linked to oxidative stress and aging (HO1, ICAM1 and MMP1) regardless of order, while lutein protected only when taken first. The outcomes are gene-expression markers in small skin biopsies, not clinical skin changes, and the complex is a mixture.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Phytoene and phytofluene occur in common foods such as tomatoes, so intake at dietary levels is not expected to raise a safety concern; laboratory cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests of phytoene- and phytofluene-rich extracts found no significant harmful potential.
These two carotenoids are colorless, so unlike lycopene or beta-carotene they do not tint the skin; whole-tomato complexes, however, also contain lycopene, and very high carotenoid intake from any source can harmlessly color the skin.
Most human studies used mixed tomato nutrient complexes rather than isolated phytoene and phytofluene, so the specific long-term safety of the isolated compounds is not established.
Taken by mouth and not applied to the skin; these supplements are not a sunscreen and do not replace sun protection.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, concentrated carotenoid supplements have little specific safety data, so favor food sources and check with a clinician.

Important Drug interactions

Orlistat and other fat-blocking agents reduce absorption of fat-soluble carotenoids; separate dosing by a couple of hours.
Bile-acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine or colestipol) and mineral oil can lower carotenoid absorption.
Other carotenoid supplements, such as beta-carotene, compete for the same absorption pathway; take them at different times if both are used.
Formal drug-interaction studies of isolated phytoene and phytofluene are lacking; tell your doctor what supplements you take.

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Frequently asked questions about Phytoene and Phytofluene (Colorless Carotenoids)

What are phytoene and phytofluene?

They are two colorless carotenoids found in tomatoes and other fruits like apricot and watermelon. In the plant they are the early steps on the way to lycopene, the red tomato pigment, so they are its precursors but carry no color themselves. They are usually sold by mouth as part of tomato nutrient complexes rather than as isolated compounds.

Do they protect against the sun like a sunscreen?

No. In the laboratory these carotenoids absorb some ultraviolet light, which is why they are studied for skin, but that is a bench property, not sun protection you can rely on. Human studies show at most a small reduction in UV-induced redness that builds over weeks. They are taken by mouth and are not a sunscreen or a replacement for one.

How are they different from lycopene and beta-carotene?

Lycopene and beta-carotene are colored pigments; phytoene and phytofluene are colorless and come one and two steps earlier in the tomato's own pathway to lycopene. Because they have different structures, we keep them as separate entries. Most tomato supplements deliver all of these carotenoids together, so a product's phytoene and phytofluene usually ride along with its lycopene.

How much do people take and for how long?

Studies used tomato nutrient complexes taken by mouth; one controlled trial supplied about 5.8 mg a day of phytoene plus phytofluene alongside lycopene. Blood levels rose within one to four weeks, while skin studies ran 12 to 16 weeks. Follow the product label, since amounts vary and most products are mixtures of tomato carotenoids.

What is Phytoene and Phytofluene?

Phytoene and phytofluene are two colorless carotenoids found in tomatoes and other fruits such as apricot and watermelon. In the plant they are early building blocks on the way to lycopene, so they sit one and two steps before that red pigment and carry no color of their own.

What is Phytoene and Phytofluene used for?

Phytoene and Phytofluene is researched primarily for Hair, Skin & Nails and Antioxidant. In a study of 60 women aged 35 to 55, taking a tomato carotenoid supplement for 12 weeks was followed by self-rated gains in skin tone, brightness, firmness, texture, hydration and fine lines.

What is the recommended dosage of Phytoene and Phytofluene?

The clinically studied dose is Taken by mouth as part of tomato nutrient complexes. One UVB trial used about 5.8 mg/day of phytoene plus phytofluene (with 15 mg lycopene and other tomato nutrients). Blood levels rose within 1 to 4 weeks; skin studies ran 12 to 16 weeks. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Phytoene and Phytofluene safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Phytoene and Phytofluene is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Phytoene and phytofluene occur in common foods such as tomatoes, so intake at dietary levels is not expected to raise a safety concern; laboratory cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests of phytoene- and phytofluene-rich extracts found no significant harmful potential. It may also interact with some medications. Phytoene and Phytofluene is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Phytoene and Phytofluene interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Orlistat and other fat-blocking agents reduce absorption of fat-soluble carotenoids; separate dosing by a couple of hours. Bile-acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine or colestipol) and mineral oil can lower carotenoid absorption. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Phytoene and Phytofluene?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Phytoene and Phytofluene as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 5 clinical trials and 9 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(9 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. 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.PubMedUsed to support: Controlled 12-week study in healthy volunteers: all groups taking about 10 mg/day lycopene raised serum lycopene and skin carotenoids, while serum phytofluene and phytoene rose significantly only with the tomato extract and tomato drink. The rise in a skin redness reading after a set sunlight dose fell about 25% with synthetic lycopene and more with the tomato products (about 38% and 48%), attributed in part to phytoene and phytofluene. No placebo group.
  2. Groten K, Marini A, Grether-Beck S, Jaenicke T, Ibbotson SH, Moseley H, Ferguson J, Krutmann J. Tomato Phytonutrients Balance UV Response: Results from a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2019;32(2):101-108. doi: 10.1159/000497104.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 149 healthy volunteers of a tomato nutrient complex supplying 15 mg lycopene plus 5.8 mg phytoene and phytofluene, beta-carotene, tocopherols and carnosic acid for 12 weeks. The primary minimal-erythemal-dose outcome did not differ from placebo, but the supplement significantly reduced UVB-induced redness by chromametry and the rise in IL6 and TNFalpha, and raised blood carotenoids.
  3. Tarshish E, Hermoni K, Sharoni Y, Muizzuddin N. Effect of Lumenato oral supplementation on plasma carotenoid levels and improvement of visual and experiential skin attributes. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(9):4042-4052. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14724.PubMedUsed to support: Study by the ingredient maker: plasma phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene rose significantly in 24 volunteers after one to four weeks of an oral tomato carotenoid supplement, and 60 women aged 35 to 55 self-rated improvements in skin tone, firmness, texture, hydration and fine lines over 12 weeks. The skin part had no placebo group and used questionnaires.
  4. Tarshish E, Hermoni K, Sharoni Y, Wertz PW, Dayan N. Effects of golden tomato extract on skin appearance-outlook into gene expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts and on trans-epidermal water loss and skin barrier in human subjects. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(7):3022-3030. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14527.PubMedUsed to support: Maker-run study: 65 subjects took a golden tomato extract capsule daily for 16 weeks, and trans-epidermal water loss fell in those with high baseline values but not in those with lower values. A paired cell-culture experiment showed the extract raised genes tied to innate immunity, DNA repair and detoxification. Human part measured skin-surface readings; cell work is laboratory data.
  5. 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.PubMedUsed to support: Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 65 healthy volunteers: a lycopene-rich tomato nutrient complex that also supplies phytoene and phytofluene fully blocked the UV-induced rise in the skin genes HO1, ICAM1 and MMP1 regardless of sequence, while lutein protected only when taken first. Outcomes are gene-expression markers in skin biopsies, not clinical skin changes.
  6. Meléndez-Martínez AJ, Stinco CM, Mapelli-Brahm P. Skin Carotenoids in Public Health and Nutricosmetics: The Emerging Roles and Applications of the UV Radiation-Absorbing Colourless Carotenoids Phytoene and Phytofluene. Nutrients. 2019;11(5):1093. doi: 10.3390/nu11051093.PubMedUsed to support: Review: phytoene and phytofluene are major, readily bioavailable dietary carotenoids that are colorless and absorb ultraviolet light in the laboratory (phytoene toward UVB, phytofluene toward UVA). It describes their distribution in skin and tissues and recommends counting them when assessing skin carotenoid status.
  7. Stahl W, Sies H. β-Carotene and other carotenoids in protection from sunlight. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;96(5):1179S-84S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.034819.PubMedUsed to support: Review of dietary carotenoids and skin protection from sunlight: notes that phytoene and phytofluene are lycopene precursors in fruit and vegetables whose absorption spectra cover the UVB and UVA range, that protective effects take several weeks to appear, and that dietary photoprotection is far weaker than topical sunscreen.
  8. Khachik F, Carvalho L, Bernstein PS, Muir GJ, Zhao DY, Katz NB. Chemistry, distribution, and metabolism of tomato carotenoids and their impact on human health. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2002;227(10):845-51. doi: 10.1177/153537020222701002.PubMedUsed to support: Review of tomato carotenoids: lycopene is the most abundant, followed by phytoene, phytofluene and zeta-carotene, and these carotenoids are found in human serum, milk and tissues, supporting that phytoene and phytofluene are genuine dietary carotenoids present in the body.
  9. Havas F, Krispin S, Meléndez-Martínez AJ, von Oppen-Bezalel L. Preliminary Data on the Safety of Phytoene- and Phytofluene-Rich Products for Human Use including Topical Application. J Toxicol. 2018;2018:5475784. doi: 10.1155/2018/5475784.PubMedUsed to support: Safety report: phytoene- and phytofluene-rich tomato and Dunaliella salina extracts showed no significant cytotoxic or genotoxic potential in laboratory tests, and skin-compatibility studies found no irritancy or sensitization. The human part tested topical application rather than oral use, and intake at dietary levels is not expected to raise a safety concern.