Prolonged use of antioxidant supplements, such as beta-carotene, selenium, zinc, and Vitamins C and E may raise the odds of developing skin cancer in adult females.

This study investigated the correlation between the usage of antioxidant supplements and the likelihood of developing skin cancer. Researchers administered either oral capsules of antioxidant supplements, such as selenium, zinc, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E or a matching placebo to 7,876 male and 5,141 female French adult subjects for a duration of 7.5 years. The skin cancer hazard ratio of each subject was also assessed.

The research team found a higher incidence of skin cancer in female subjects in the antioxidant group than in those in the placebo cohort. In contrast, the use of antioxidant supplements was found to have little or no effect on skin cancer risk among male subjects in this study. The findings of this study reveal that long-term intake of antioxidant supplements may increase the chances of developing skin cancer in adult females.