Recent Advances in Food, Nutrition & Agriculture

Recent Advances in Food, Nutrition & Agriculture

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2772-574X
ISSN (Online): 2772-5758

Back Subscribe
Review Article

Antioxidants for Skin Health

Author(s): Virender Kumar*, Neha Tanwar, Muskan Goel, Mohit Khan, Davinder Kumar, Gajendra Singh, Jyoti Mundlia, Naveen Khatri and Ashwani Kumar

Volume 16, Issue 3, 2025

Published on: 06 August, 2024

Page: [250 - 265] Pages: 16

DOI: 10.2174/012772574X311177240710100118

Price: $65

Become a Editorial Board Member
Become a Reviewer
Become a Editor
Become a Section Editor

Abstract

Antioxidants play a pivotal role in maintaining skin health and integrity, combating the deleterious effects of oxidative stress induced by environmental aggressors such as UV radiation, pollution, and lifestyle factors. This paper reviews the contributions of key antioxidants, including Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, green tea extract, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, Selenium, and Polyphenols, in skin health care. Vitamin C, known for its collagen synthesis promotion and photoprotection properties, alongside Vitamin E, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, synergistically works to neutralize free radicals and repair damaged skin cells. Vitamin A, in the form of retinol, plays a critical role in skin cell regeneration and the maintenance of skin integrity. Green tea extract, rich in Polyphenols, offers anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties, making it a potent ingredient for skin protection. Coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring antioxidant in the body, aids in energy production for cell repair and regeneration, while Resveratrol, found in grapes and berries, provides anti-ageing benefits by enhancing skin's resistance to oxidative stress. Selenium, an essential mineral, contributes to the protection of skin cells from oxidative damage. The incorporation of these antioxidants in skincare products and dietary sources is discussed, highlighting the importance of a holistic approach in skincare regimes. The paper emphasizes the synergy between topical applications and dietary intake of antioxidants, advocating for a comprehensive strategy for promoting skin health and preventing age-related skin alterations.

Method: For the review article, a variety of search engines and databases were used to identify relevant articles. Furthermore, for biomedical literature focusing on antioxidants and their effects on skin health, PubMed was used. Moreover, to access a wide range of scholarly articles, including those related to dermatology and skincare, Google Scholar was used. Scopus provides comprehensive coverage of peer-reviewed literature across various scientific disciplines. Web of Science identifies high-impact articles and research on antioxidants in skincare. In addition, for accessing full-text articles on antioxidants and their applications in dermatology, Science Direct was used. The inclusion criteria for the review paper were as follows: only studies published in peer-reviewed journals were included to ensure the credibility and reliability of the information. Articles published in English were considered, to avoid language-related biases and ensure comprehension. Studies published within the last 10 years were included to provide the most current insights into antioxidant research in skincare. Articles must specifically focus on the role of antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, green tea extract, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, Selenium, Polyphenols) in skin health care. Both experimental studies (in vivo and in vitro) and clinical trials were included to provide a comprehensive overview of the antioxidant effects. Full-text articles were included to allow for thorough data extraction and analysis. The exclusion criteria for the review paper were as follows: Publications that were not peer-reviewed, such as editorials, opinion pieces, and non-scholarly articles, were excluded. Articles published in languages other than English were excluded due to potential translation challenges and to maintain consistency. Studies that did not focus on the specified antioxidants or their impact on skin health were excluded. Duplicate publications were excluded to avoid redundancy in the review. Articles with insufficient or incomplete data were excluded to ensure the quality and reliability of the review findings.

Keywords: Antioxidants, skin health, oxidative stress, UV radiation, pollution, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, green tea extract, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, selenium.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Bonifant H, Holloway S. A review of the effects of ageing on skin integrity and wound healing. Br J Community Nurs 2019; 24(Sup3): S28-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.Sup3.S28]
[2]
Herskovitz I, Macquhae F, Fox JD, Kirsner RS. Skin movement, wound repair and development of engineered skin. Exp Dermatol 2016; 25(2): 99-100.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/exd.12916] [PMID: 26660718]
[3]
Wilkinson PF, Millington R. Skin (Digitally printed version ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2009; pp. 49-50.
[4]
Fenner J, Silverberg NB. Skin diseases associated with atopic dermatitis. Clin Dermatol 2018; 36(5): 631-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2018.05.004] [PMID: 30217275]
[5]
Cheeseman KH, Slater TF. An introduction to free radical biochemistry. Br Med Bull 1993; 49(3): 481-93.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a072625] [PMID: 8221017]
[6]
Halliwell Barry. Free radicals in biology and medicine USA. Oxford university press 2015.
[7]
Ryan AS, Goldsmith LA. Nutrition and the skin. Clin Dermatol 1996; 14(4): 389-406.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0738-081X(96)00068-5] [PMID: 8862916]
[8]
Katiyar SK, Mukhtar H. Green tea polyphenol (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate treatment to mouse skin prevents UVB-induced infiltration of leukocytes, depletion of antigen-presenting cells, and oxidative stress. J Leukoc Biol 2001; 69(5): 719-26.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1189/jlb.69.5.719] [PMID: 11358979]
[9]
Klemchuk PP. Antioxidants. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2000.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14356007.a03_091]
[10]
Burns EM, Tober KL, Riggenbach JA, Kusewitt DF, Young GS, Oberyszyn TM. Differential effects of topical vitamin E and C E Ferulic® treatments on ultraviolet light B-induced cutaneous tumor development in Skh-1 mice. PLoS One 2013; 8(5): e63809.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0063809] [PMID: 23691100]
[11]
Ascorbic Acid. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists 2016.
[12]
Smirnoff N. l-Ascorbic acid biosynthesis. Vitam Horm 2001; 61: 241-66.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0083-6729(01)61008-2] [PMID: 11153268]
[13]
Hinek A, Kim HJ, Wang Y, Wang A, Mitts TF. Sodium l-ascorbate enhances elastic fibers deposition by fibroblasts from normal and pathologic human skin. J Dermatol Sci 2014; 75(3): 173-82.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2014.05.011] [PMID: 25015208]
[14]
Lupo MP. Antioxidants and vitamins in cosmetics. Clin Dermatol 2001; 19(4): 467-73.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0738-081X(01)00188-2] [PMID: 11535390]
[15]
Pinnell SR, Yang H, Omar M, et al. Topical L-ascorbic acid: Percutaneous absorption studies. Dermatol Surg 2001; 27(2): 137-42.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1524-4725.2001.00264.x] [PMID: 11207686]
[16]
Farris PK. Cosmetical vitamins: Vitamin C. In: Draelos ZD, Dover JS, Alam M, Eds. Cosmeceuticals Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology. 2nd ed. New York: Saunders Elsevier 2009; pp. 51-6.
[17]
Traber MG, Vitamin E. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed Baltimore, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2006; pp. 396-411.
[18]
Sen CK, Khanna S, Roy S. Tocotrienols: Vitamin E beyond tocopherols. Life Sci 2006; 78(18): 2088-98.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2005.12.001] [PMID: 16458936]
[19]
National Institutes of Healthy. Vitamin E fact sheet for health professionals. 2021. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/cited 2021 April 14.
[20]
Food and Nutrition Board Dietary Reference Intakes. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Carotenoidsexternal link disclaimer. Washington, DC: National Academy Press 2000.
[21]
Vitamin A Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. In: Office of Dietary Supplements. US National Institutes of Health. 2021.
[22]
Rossetti D, Kielmanowicz MG, Vigodman S, et al. A novel anti‐ageing mechanism for retinol: Induction of dermal elastin synthesis and elastin fibre formation. Int J Cosmet Sci 2011; 33(1): 62-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2010.00588.x] [PMID: 20704601]
[23]
Geiger JM, Hommel L, Harms M, Saurat JH. Oral 13-cis retinoic acid is superior to 9-cis retinoic acid in sebosuppression in human beings. J Am Acad Dermatol 1996; 34(3): 513-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0190-9622(96)90462-4] [PMID: 8609271]
[24]
Pozniakov SP. Mechanism of action of vitamin A on cell differentiation and function. Ontogenez 1986; 17(6): 578-86.
[25]
McKay DL, Blumberg JB. The role of tea in human health: An update. J Am Coll Nutr 2002; 21(1): 1-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2002.10719187] [PMID: 11838881]
[26]
Osada K, Takahashi M, Hoshina S, Nakamura M, Nakamura S, Sugano M. Tea catechins inhibit cholesterol oxidation accompanying low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vitro. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2001; 128(2): 153-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1532-0456(00)00192-7] [PMID: 11239828]
[27]
Babu PVA, Sabitha KE, Shyamaladevi CS. Therapeutic effect of green tea extract on oxidative stress in aorta and heart of streptozotocin diabetic rats. Chem Biol Interact 2006; 162(2): 114-20.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2006.04.009] [PMID: 16860299]
[28]
Dvorakova K, Dorr RT, Valcic S, Timmermann B, Alberts DS. Pharmacokinetics of the green tea derivative, EGCG, by the topical route of administration in mouse and human skin. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1999; 43(4): 331-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002800050903] [PMID: 10071985]
[29]
Sagesaka-Mitane Y, Miwa M, Okada S. Platelet aggregation inhibitors in middle-aged Japanese men and women. Ann Epidemiol 1998; 7: 280-4.
[30]
Aburjai T, Natsheh FM. Plants used in cosmetics. Phytother Res 2003; 17(9): 987-1000.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1363] [PMID: 14595575]
[31]
Hoppe U, Bergemann J, Diembeck W, et al. Coenzyme Q 10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer. Biofactors 1999; 9(2-4): 371-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/biof.5520090238] [PMID: 10416055]
[32]
Bentinger M, Tekle M, Dallner G. Coenzyme Q-biosynthesis and functions. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 396(1): 74-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.02.147] [PMID: 20494114]
[33]
Prahl S, Kueper T, Biernoth T, et al. Aging skin is functionally anaerobic: Importance of coenzyme Q 10 for anti aging skin care. Biofactors 2008; 32(1-4): 245-55.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/biof.5520320129] [PMID: 19096122]
[34]
Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel M, Trost A, Richter K. Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules 2015; 5(2): 545-89.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biom5020545] [PMID: 25906193]
[35]
Batisse D, Bazin R, Baldeweck T. Bernard Querleux, Jean-Luc Lévêque. Influence of age on the wrinkling capacities of skin. Skin Res Technol 2002; 8(3): 148-54.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0846.2002.10308.x] [PMID: 12236883]
[36]
Littarru GP, Tiano L. Bioenergetic and antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10: Recent developments. Mol Biotechnol 2007; 37(1): 31-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12033-007-0052-y] [PMID: 17914161]
[37]
Sala M, Diab R, Elaissari A, Fessi H. Lipid nanocarriers as skin drug delivery systems: Properties, mechanisms of skin interactions and medical applications. Int J Pharm 2018; 535(1-2): 1-17.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.10.046] [PMID: 29111097]
[38]
Ryu KA, Park PJ, Kim SB, Bin BH, Jang DJ, Kim ST. Topical delivery of coenzyme Q10-loaded microemulsion for skin regeneration. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12(4): 332.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12040332] [PMID: 32272811]
[39]
Berman AY, Motechin RA, Wiesenfeld MY, Holz MK. The therapeutic potential of resveratrol: A review of clinical trials. NPJ Precis Oncol 2017; 1(1): 35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41698-017-0038-6] [PMID: 28989978]
[40]
Ratz-Łyko A, Arct J. Resveratrol as an active ingredient for cosmetic and dermatological applications: A review. J Cosmet Laser Ther 2019; 21(2): 84-90.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2018.1469767] [PMID: 29737899]
[41]
Abbas H, Kamel R, El-Sayed N. Dermal anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects of Compritol ATO-based Resveratrol colloidal carriers prepared using mixed surfactants. Int J Pharm 2018; 541(1-2): 37-47.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.01.054] [PMID: 29458209]
[42]
Chen ML, Li J, Xiao WR, et al. Protective effect of resveratrol against oxidative damage of UVA irradiated HaCaT cells. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2006; 31(5): 635-9.
[PMID: 17062920]
[43]
Schallreuter KU, Pittelkow MR, Wood JM. Free radical reduction by thioredoxin reductase at the surface of normal and vitiliginous human keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol 1986; 87(6): 728-32.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12456848] [PMID: 2431070]
[44]
Burke KE, Combs GF Jr, Gross EG, Bhuyan KC, Abu-Libdeh H. The effects of topical and oral L‐selenomethionine on pigmentation and skin cancer induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Nutr Cancer 1992; 17(2): 123-37.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01635589209514180] [PMID: 1584707]
[45]
Scalbert A, Williamson G. Dietary intake and bioavailability of polyphenols. J Nutr 2000; 130(8S Suppl): 2073S-85S.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jn/130.8.2073S]
[46]
Nichols JA, Katiyar SK. Skin photoprotection by natural polyphenols: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and DNA repair mechanisms. Arch Dermatol Res 2010; 302(2): 71-83.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00403-009-1001-3] [PMID: 19898857]
[47]
Jeon HY, Kim JK, Seo DB, Cho SY, Lee SJ. Beneficial effect of dietary epigallocatechin-3-gallate on skin via enhancement of antioxidant capacity in both blood and skin. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2010; 23(6): 283-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000313542] [PMID: 20523107]
[48]
Mukhtar H, Ahmad N. Tea polyphenols: Prevention of cancer and optimizing health. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 71(6) (Suppl.): 1698S-702S.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/71.6.1698S] [PMID: 10837321]
[49]
Afaq F. Natural agents: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of photoprotection. Arch Biochem Biophys 2010; 508(2): 144-51.
[PMID: 21147060]
[50]
Bowe WP, Pugliese S. Cosmetic benefits of natural ingredients. J Drugs Dermatol 2014; 13(9): 1021-5.
[PMID: 25226001]
[51]
Baumann L, Woolery-Lloyd H, Friedman A. “Natural” ingredients in cosmetic dermatology. J Drugs Dermatol 2009; 8(6) (Suppl.): s5-9.
[PMID: 19562883]
[52]
Marks Ronald. . Emollients. CRC Press 1997; p. 1.
[53]
Stewart K, Johnston J, Matza L, et al. Preference for pharmaceutical formulation and treatment process attributes. Patient Prefer Adherence 2016; 10: 1385-99.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S101821] [PMID: 27528802]
[54]
Thabet Y, Klingmann V, Breitkreutz J. Drug formulations: Standards and novel strategies for drug administration in pediatrics. J Clin Pharmacol 2018; 58(S10) (Suppl. 10): S26-35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcph.1138] [PMID: 30248193]
[55]
Zhou SF, Zhong WZ. Drug design and discovery: Principles and applications. Molecules 2017; 22(2): 279.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules22020279] [PMID: 28208821]
[56]
Cosmetics and Your Health – FAQs.> 2013. Available from: https://www.womenshealth.gov/
[57]
Clark A, Hessler JL. Skin care. Facial Plast surg clin north AM 2015; 23(3): 285-95.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsc.2015.04.002] [PMID: 26208767]
[58]
Schwartz E. Vitamin C Monograph University of Quebec at Chicoutimi DESS in Cosmetology. 2016.
[59]
Thiele JJ, Schroeter C, Hsieh SN, Podda M, Packer L. The antioxidant network of the stratum corneum. Curr Probl Dermatol 2000; 29: 26-42.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000060651] [PMID: 11225199]
[60]
Song X, Bi Z, Xu A. Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits the expression of nitric oxide synthase and generation of nitric oxide induced by ultraviolet B in HaCaT cells. Chin Med J 2006; 119(4): 282-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00029330-200602020-00003] [PMID: 16537022]
[62]
Jabłonowska-Lietz B, Jarosz A, Nowicka G. Dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins in healthy adults in relation to current recommended intake. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig 2013; 64(1): 43-8.
[PMID: 23789312]
[63]
Jia X, Wang Z, Zhang B, et al. Food sources and potential determinants of dietary vitamin C intake in Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study. Nutrients 2018; 10(3): 320.
[PMID: 29518947]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite