Photoprotection and skin coloring by oral carotenoids.

A new combination of beta-carotene (25 mg) and canthaxanthin (35 mg) was clinically investigated in 74 patients with various photodermatoses and 111 patients with pigmentation disorders. The photoprotective action of this combination was ascertained in clinical experiments. Serum levels were determined in 20 patients; the absence of increased retinol levels could be confirmed. In 23 patients, ophthalmological controls did not reveal any abnormalities. In 65 of the 74 patients with photodermatoses, a satisfactory protective action was recorded. 85 of the 111 patients with depigmentations and hyperpigmentations experienced a marked decrease of the disturbing contrast between their lesions and the surrounding skin.