Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

White Tomato Fruit Extract

Also known as: White Tomato Fruit Extract, white heirloom tomato extract, white tomato carotenoids, colorless carotenoids from white tomatoes, Phytoene and Phytofluene

Overview

White Tomato Fruit Extract is derived from heirloom white tomatoes, which are uniquely rich in colorless carotenoids, primarily phytoene and phytofluene. Unlike red tomatoes, which are known for lycopene, these white varieties offer distinct carotenoid precursors. These compounds are naturally present in the fruit and have garnered significant interest for their potential benefits in skin health, particularly their antioxidant and photoprotective properties. The extract is primarily utilized in supplements aimed at improving skin hydration, offering anti-inflammatory effects, and potentially supporting skin cell regeneration. Phytoene and phytofluene are notable for being colorless, yet they possess the ability to absorb UV light, contributing to their photoprotective potential. They are also bioavailable and may enhance the body's natural antioxidant defenses by increasing levels of enzymes like glutathione reductase. While research is emerging, current evidence, including in vitro studies and some human trials on broader fruit extracts, supports their mechanistic actions and potential for skin health.

Benefits

White Tomato Fruit Extract offers several evidence-based benefits, primarily focused on skin health. A meta-analysis of fruit extracts, which included some with similar carotenoid profiles, demonstrated a significant reduction in transepidermal water loss (TEWL), a key indicator of skin barrier function. This suggests improved skin hydration, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of −6.54 (95% CI: −12.15 to −0.92; p=0.02) observed after 8-12 weeks of supplementation. In vitro studies specifically on white tomato powder have shown its ability to increase skin cell viability and reduce oxidative injury in keratinocyte cells, with effective concentrations ranging from 100-500 µg/ml. These studies also indicated that white tomato carotenoids can increase levels of glutathione reductase and reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in cell models, highlighting their role in enhancing antioxidant capacity relevant to skin health. While direct clinical evidence for systemic antioxidant effects and photoprotection from white tomato extract specifically is limited, the UV absorption properties of phytoene and phytofluene suggest potential. These benefits are most relevant for healthy adults concerned with skin aging and photoprotection, with improvements in skin hydration typically observed after 8-12 weeks of consistent use.

How it works

White Tomato Fruit Extract exerts its effects primarily through its active colorless carotenoids, phytoene and phytofluene. These compounds function as potent antioxidants by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby reducing oxidative stress in cells. They also enhance the body's endogenous antioxidant defense systems, notably by increasing the activity of enzymes like glutathione reductase. Furthermore, these carotenoids may reduce inflammatory mediators, such as matrix metalloproteinase-12, contributing to their anti-inflammatory properties. The primary interaction is with skin cells, where they help improve barrier function and mitigate oxidative damage. Phytoene and phytofluene are bioavailable, meaning they are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and can then exert their effects systemically, including potential photoprotection due to their ability to absorb UV light.

Side effects

Based on current scientific literature, White Tomato Fruit Extract is generally considered safe, with no significant safety concerns reported in human studies. Carotenoids derived from tomatoes are widely regarded as safe for consumption. There are no commonly reported side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users), nor are there documented uncommon (1-5%) or rare (less than 1%) adverse effects. No significant drug interactions have been identified or reported. Furthermore, there are no established contraindications for its use. However, it is important to note that specific safety data for special populations, such as pregnant or lactating women, or children, have not been specifically studied. As with any supplement, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking other medications should consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation, although no specific risks have been identified.

Dosage

The optimal dosage for White Tomato Fruit Extract is not yet definitively established due to a limited number of dedicated clinical trials. In vitro studies have shown effective concentrations of white tomato powder ranging from 100-500 µg/ml for promoting cell viability and reducing oxidative injury; however, these concentrations do not directly translate to human equivalent doses. Typical fruit extract studies that show benefits on skin hydration have used doses standardized to their carotenoid content, with improvements observed after 8-12 weeks of continuous intake. There is no established maximum safe dose. For best absorption, carotenoids are generally better absorbed when consumed with some fat, though no specific cofactors have been identified for phytoene and phytofluene. When selecting a supplement, powdered extracts standardized for their phytoene and phytofluene content may be preferred to ensure consistent active ingredient levels.

FAQs

Is white tomato extract effective for skin aging?

Preliminary evidence suggests it can improve skin hydration and reduce oxidative stress, which are factors that may contribute to mitigating skin aging. Benefits on skin hydration may appear after 8-12 weeks.

Is it safe to take daily?

Based on current evidence, White Tomato Fruit Extract appears safe for daily consumption, with no reported adverse effects in studies to date. It is generally well-tolerated.

How long before effects are seen?

Improvements in skin hydration, a key benefit, have been observed after 8-12 weeks of consistent daily intake in studies involving similar fruit extracts.

Does it replace lycopene?

No, White Tomato Fruit Extract contains different colorless carotenoids (phytoene and phytofluene) with distinct properties compared to lycopene. Both may offer complementary benefits for health.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10436291/ – This meta-analysis of three RCTs (n=186) found that fruit extracts significantly reduced transepidermal water loss (TEWL), indicating improved skin hydration, with an SMD of −6.54 (p=0.02) after 8-12 weeks. While not exclusive to white tomato extract, it provides indirect evidence for the benefits of fruit extracts on skin barrier function.
https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/6213 – This in vitro study on HaCaT keratinocytes demonstrated that white heirloom tomato carotenoids increased cell viability post-oxidative injury, reduced LDH release, and enhanced glutathione reductase levels. It also showed a decrease in inflammation markers, providing strong mechanistic insight into the antioxidant and protective effects of the extract on skin cells.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1516048/full – This systematic review and meta-analysis focused on the association between dietary tomato/lycopene intake and cancer risk. While it highlights the benefits of lycopene, it does not provide direct data on white tomato carotenoids, thus serving as a high-quality but indirect source for the specific benefits of white tomato extract.