A carotenoid substance called zeaxanthin, when ingested orally at suitable dosages, can provide effective protection against sunburns and darken the skin to emulate a healthy suntan. Zeaxanthin may induce: (i) a mild but noticeable tinting, shading, or darkening of skin color, comparable to a mild suntan; (ii) a substantial increase in the person's ability to withstand elevated levels of sun or UV exposure; and, (iii) an increased ability of reddened and sunburned skin to convert into intact skin that looks browned and healthily tanned. Topical formulations containing zeaxanthin can be administered to the skin during the time period of ingesting the oral formulation to further protect the skin and provide an additional darkening of the skin.