Noninvasive Method of Determining Skin Antioxidant/Oxidant Activity: Clinical and Cosmetics Applications

Free radical oxidation ensures regular metabolism in human body. In case of oxidant/antioxidant misbalance free radical oxidation may lead to oxidation of lipids,membrane destruction and irreversible changes in DNA. Many diseases are both causes and consequences of oxidative stress. Its monitoring is essential for selecting and using modern therapy, thus reducing and preventing oxidative stress and irreversible changes in human body. The article describes a new electrochemical method of determining antioxidant/oxidant activity (AОА/ОА) of skin. The source of information is the platinum electrode potential shift observed when the investigated part of skin came into contact with a medium containing mediator system. An ECG-type electrode served as a reference one.To prove the reliability of the data obtained with the proposed method, model systems, containing antioxidants or oxidants in different concentrations were investigated. The data obtained showed high selfdescriptiveness and reliability of the results. The data demonstrating the impact of cosmetic creams on skin AOA are presented. The interrelation between skin AOA/OA and the presence of cardiovascular pathologies is proved.