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Carotenoids
Carotenoids are pigments that protect plants from UV damage while allowing them to use the beneficial spectrums of light in photosynthesis. There are over 600 carotenoid forms split into two classes, xanthophylls (which contain oxygen) and carotenes (which are purely hydrocarbons, and contain no oxygen). They are pigments that occupy the red, orange, and yellow color spectrums seen in fruits and vegetables that protect plants from sun damage.
In humans, there are several that act as antioxidants, most notably beta-carotene, astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Beta-carotene specifically is of great importance because it is easy converted to Vitamin A by the body. When applied to human skin, these carotenoids have been shown in clinical studies to dramatically enhance the photoprotective properties of topical products and help skin resist burning caused by UV radiation.
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