SKIN CAROTENOID LEVELS were generally low among dermatology patients, with a study also identifying potential variation according to the timing of measurements.
Carotenoids are antioxidants that accumulate in the skin and have been linked to photoprotection, barrier integrity, and inflammatory control. However, carotenoid status among patients attending dermatology services has not been systematically characterised.
Researchers assessed skin carotenoid levels in 604 adult dermatology patients using a non-invasive Veggie Meter assessment. Participants also completed a survey examining dietary patterns, supplement use, and willingness to use supplementation.
Across the cohort, skin carotenoid scores were concentrated towards the lower end of the measurement range. The mean score was 306.5, while the median was 293. Only 0.7% of participants recorded scores above 700.
Despite the generally low skin carotenoid levels, 44.7% of participants reported using carotenoid-containing supplements. Dietary intake of vegetables was also relatively limited, with only 8.6% reporting that they consumed vegetables with every meal.
The survey indicated potential interest in supplementation, with 68.7% of participants reporting that they would be willing to take a daily supplement if this did not require dietary modification.
The researchers also developed a body mass index-calibrated carotenoid dosing model as a hypothesis-generating framework. However, the findings were intended to provide baseline data rather than establish a recommended supplementation strategy.
The study also highlighted potential variability in skin carotenoid measurements according to the time of day. In a supplemented reference patient who underwent 306 paired morning and afternoon assessments, afternoon measurements were consistently higher than morning measurements. Mean scores were 830.9 in the afternoon compared with 693.7 in the morning.
The findings suggest that measurement timing could be an important consideration when assessing skin carotenoid levels. The Veggie Meter assessment was also reported to be feasible within routine dermatology workflows.
Further longitudinal research will be needed to determine whether targeted assessment and repletion of carotenoids could have a role in preventive dermatology care. The current findings provide real-world baseline data for investigating skin carotenoid status in dermatology populations.
Reference
Vadner DJ et al. Distribution of skin carotenoid levels in 604 dermatology patients and implications for clinical assessment. Arch Dermatol Res.2026;318:377.
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