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Oxidative stress in skin

UV radiation, pollution and normal metabolism generate reactive oxygen species. Cells buffer them with enzymatic systems (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and small-molecule antioxidants, with the KEAP1-NRF2 axis coordinating the transcriptional response.

100%
Oxidative stress in skinNFE2L2KEAP1HMOX1SOD1CATGPX1Detoxification of reactiv…KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant …Respiratory electron tran…Oxidative stress responseLipid peroxidation control

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IngredientMoleculeTargetGenePathwayProcessOutcome
Text alternative for this network
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with NFE2L2 — high confidence
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with KEAP1 — high confidence
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with HMOX1 — high confidence
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with SOD1 — high confidence
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with CAT — high confidence
  • Oxidative stress in skin associated with GPX1 — high confidence
  • NFE2L2 participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • KEAP1 participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • HMOX1 participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • SOD1 participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • CAT participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • GPX1 participates in Detoxification of reactive oxygen species — high confidence
  • NFE2L2 participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • KEAP1 participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • HMOX1 participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • SOD1 participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • CAT participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • GPX1 participates in KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response — high confidence
  • NFE2L2 participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • KEAP1 participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • HMOX1 participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • SOD1 participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • CAT participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • GPX1 participates in Respiratory electron transport — medium confidence
  • Detoxification of reactive oxygen species associated with Oxidative stress response — high confidence
  • KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response associated with Oxidative stress response — high confidence
  • Respiratory electron transport associated with Oxidative stress response — medium confidence
  • Detoxification of reactive oxygen species associated with Lipid peroxidation control — high confidence
  • KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response associated with Lipid peroxidation control — high confidence
  • Respiratory electron transport associated with Lipid peroxidation control — medium confidence

Genes & proteins

  • NFE2L2high confidence

    Nuclear factor erythroid 2 like 2 (NRF2)

  • KEAP1high confidence

    Kelch like ECH associated protein 1

  • HMOX1high confidence

    Heme oxygenase 1

  • SOD1high confidence

    Superoxide dismutase 1

  • CAThigh confidence

    Catalase

  • GPX1high confidence

    Glutathione peroxidase 1

Pathways

  • Detoxification of reactive oxygen species

    high confidence

    Enzymatic and small-molecule ROS handling.

    Reactome R-HSA-3299685

  • KEAP1-NFE2L2 antioxidant response

    high confidence

    Transcriptional antioxidant programme.

    Reactome R-HSA-9755511

  • Respiratory electron transport

    medium confidence

    Mitochondrial source of endogenous ROS.

    Reactome R-HSA-611105

Ingredients studied here

Processes

  • Oxidative stress response — Epidermis
  • Lipid peroxidation control — Cell membranes

Research on this topic

ReviewJournal of Pineal Research (review) · 2018

Melatonin in human skin: local synthesis and antioxidative protection

Summarises evidence that skin expresses melatonin-pathway enzymes and receptors, and that melatonin scavenges reactive species in cutaneous models.

Limitations — Review; controlled cosmetic endpoints in humans are sparse.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCMelatonin
In-vitroInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2013

Stability of L-ascorbic acid in topical formulations

Reported rapid oxidative degradation of L-ascorbic acid at neutral pH, mitigated by low pH and antioxidant co-formulation.

Limitations — Formulation chemistry only; no biological endpoints.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCL-Ascorbic acid · Ferulic acid · Tocopherol
Randomised controlled trialAnnals of Internal Medicine · 2013n = 903

Daily sunscreen use and skin ageing: a randomised trial

Reported no detectable increase in skin ageing over 4.5 years in the daily sunscreen group compared with discretionary use.

Limitations — Sunscreen formulation was not zinc-oxide-specific; outcome assessed by microtopography of the hand.

PMID 23732711Zinc oxide
In-vitroInternational Journal of Cosmetic Science · 2012

Stability and skin delivery of ascorbyl phosphate derivatives

Reported improved formulation stability for magnesium ascorbyl phosphate but slower and variable conversion to free ascorbate in skin models.

Limitations — Formulation and ex-vivo delivery only; no clinical endpoints.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCMagnesium ascorbyl phosphate · L-Ascorbic acid
In-vitroPhotochemistry and Photobiology · 2011

Green tea polyphenols and UV-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression in human skin models

Reported reduced UV-induced MMP-9 expression in treated skin equivalents.

Limitations — Skin equivalent model; identifier not verified; human endpoints lacking.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCEpigallocatechin gallate
In-vitroJournal of Biological Chemistry · 2010

Resveratrol as a sirtuin activator: assay dependence and interpretation

Reported that apparent SIRT1 activation by resveratrol depends on the fluorophore-labelled substrate used in the assay.

Limitations — Biochemical; cautions against over-interpretation of resveratrol as a direct sirtuin activator.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCResveratrol
In-vitroSkin Pharmacology and Physiology · 2007

Ectoin as a protective compatible solute in keratinocyte models

Reported reduced UVA-induced signalling and membrane damage in ectoin-treated keratinocytes.

Limitations — Cell model; identifier not verified during curation.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCEctoin
HumanJournal of Investigative Dermatology · 2005n = 9

Ferulic acid stabilises a solution of vitamins C and E and doubles its photoprotection

Reported improved formulation stability and increased measured photoprotection for a C/E/ferulic combination on human skin.

Limitations — Very small sample; surrogate photoprotection endpoints; industry-affiliated.

PMID 16297196Ferulic acid · L-Ascorbic acid · Tocopherol
Randomised controlled trialBritish Journal of Dermatology · 2003n = 33

Alpha-lipoic acid cream and photoaged facial skin: a randomised controlled trial

Reported modest improvement in photoaging scores versus vehicle on half-face assessment.

Limitations — Small sample; identifier not verified; subjective grading.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCAlpha-lipoic acid
Randomised controlled trialDermatologic Surgery · 2002n = 19

Topical vitamin C and photoaging: a double-blind half-face study

Reported improvement in investigator-assessed photoaging scores on the vitamin C treated side.

Limitations — Very small sample; identifier not verified during curation; formulation stability not reported.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCL-Ascorbic acid
In-vitroFree Radical Biology and Medicine · 1999

Coenzyme Q10 in the epidermis: distribution and antioxidant function

Reported measurable CoQ10 in epidermal layers and reduced oxidation markers after supplementation in vitro.

Limitations — In-vitro; identifier not verified during curation.

Identifier not curated — search Europe PMCCoenzyme Q10

Community evidence

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