Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids your body can't make on its own—you get them from food or supplements. Research shows they filter harmful light wavelengths in your eyes and work as antioxidants in skin to protect against UV damage, though human skin studies are still limited compared to eye research.

This is a literature review that examined existing scientific studies on how lutein and zeaxanthin work in both eye and skin health, pulling from animal and human research.

Funding not disclosed in abstract