Lycopene (E160d)
- Food Fine
- Cosmetics Fine
What is Lycopene (E160d)?
Lycopene (E160d) is the natural red pigment in tomatoes, used to colour foods. It's very low in risk, even at high doses in animal studies. It's fine at normal amounts; eating very large amounts for a long time can tint the skin orange, which fades once you cut back.
What does Lycopene do in cosmetics?
In cosmetics, lycopene adds colour and acts as an antioxidant. Properly made products pose little concern, though there are few direct skin studies. It's fine for normal use; in old or badly stored products it can break down.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Lycopene?
Yasno’s verdict on Lycopene: In food: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts. In cosmetics: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Lycopene allowed in the EU?
EU status of Lycopene: In food: Permitted as a food additive. In cosmetics: Permitted as a colourant in cosmetics (Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Permitted as a food additive | Listed as a colour additive by the US FDA |
| Cosmetics | Permitted as a colourant in cosmetics (Annex IV of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) | Not recorded |
What else is it called?
- all-trans-Lycopene
- Psi,psi-carotene
- lycored
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3013, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2024
- EFSA acceptable daily intake assessment for lycopene, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2017
- EFSA exposure assessment for lycopene, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2026
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
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