Does Taking Beta Carotene Help Your Skin Color?

Orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables tend to get their hue from vitamin A, which also is known as beta carotene. This includes produce such as carrots, squash, pumpkins and egg yolks. If you take beta carotene, you might experience an unexpected side effect -- your skin can be tinged with yellow or orange because beta carotene affects your skin pigments. While this is a harmless side effect, skin color changes associated with taking beta carotene can be alarming if they are unexpected.

Misconception

One of the concerns about changes to your skin color and taking beta carotene is that yellowing of the skin can be confused with other medical conditions. This includes conditions like hepatitis and jaundice. If you are taking beta carotene supplements and are concerned about changes to your skin color, it's important to disclose which supplements and in what dosages of beta carotene you are taking when you seek a physician's evaluation. Your physician can perform a blood test to determine the levels of beta carotene in your blood.

Photosensitivity

One of the indirect ways beta carotene supplementation can affect your skin and skin color is through increasing your ultraviolet ray protection against the sun. This is because beta carotene is an antioxidant that helps to fight inflammation-causing free radicals in your skin that can lead to skin wrinkling and age spots from sun exposure, according to an article published in the March 2002 "Journal of Nutrition." Beta carotene supplementation increases your skin's protection against ultraviolet rays, making you less prone to harmful sunburns and early signs of aging.

Reduced Dosage

Because skin pigmentation can vary between people, it is difficult to predict what shade your skin color will turn as a result of beta carotene supplementation. If you are taking beta carotene to achieve a certain skin color, however, ceasing to take the medication will cause your skin color to return to your normal hue.

Considerations

The idea that beta carotene supplements improve your skin color is a matter of preference. Many people may find the skin color changes that occur as a result of taking beta carotene alarming or concerning. It is possible some people may prefer their skin to have an orange or yellow tint.