Carotenoids are dietary compounds of great importance in the field of nutrition, food science and health and are key actives in Tomesoral, the heirlum white tomato powder. All carotenoids are valued for their protection against oxidative, free radical and photo-oxidative damage. Not only phytoene and phytofluene, but also lutein and zeaxanthin are considered major carotenoids found in the skin. Phytoene and phytofluene which are colorless carotenoids absorb mostly in the ultraviolet region, unlike colored carotenoids that absorb light in the visible region. Lutein and zeaxanthin's antioxidant capacity is by scavenging of singlet oxygen, while phytoene and phytofluene scavenge mostly hydroxyl radicals. These potent antioxidants also prevent pigment deposition through inhibition of tyrosinase and reduction in inflammation.
TOMESORAL acts as a catalyst to glutathione production on a long term basis by stimulating the expression of glutathione reductase, the enzyme converting oxidized glutathione (GSSH) to reduced glutathione (GSH), the active form of glutathione for skin lightening.
