Relevance of vitamins C and E in cutaneous photoprotection
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced oxidative stress may result in acute and chronic photodamage. Based on the endogenous antioxidant system, the administration of antioxidants for scavenging reactive oxygen species might be a promising strategy in the prevention of UV-induced skin reactions. The relevance of the most common antioxidants, vitamins E and C, is reviewed focusing on topical and systemic photoprotective effects in animals and humans. Topically applied vitamin C induced significant photoprotective effects at concentrations of at least 10% in animals and humans, whereas a photoprotective effect has not been demonstrated by oral administration even at high doses in humans. Topical vitamin E reduced erythema, sunburn cells, chronic UV-B-induced skin damage, and photocarcinogenesis in the majority of the published studies, whereas only high doses of oral vitamin E may affect the response to UV-B in humans. Combination of vitamins C and E, partly with other photoprotective compounds, did increase the photoprotective effects dramatically compared to monotherapies. This synergistic interplay of several antioxidants should be taken into consideration in future research on cutaneous photoprotection.
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Vitamin C used in combination with vitamin E and, to a lesser extent, with other photoprotective compounds dramatically increases their photoprotective effects as compared to monotherapies.
“Eberlein-König and Ring have also shown that vitamin C used in combination with vitamin E and, to a lesser extent, with other photoprotective compounds dramatically increases their photoprotective effects as compared to monotherapies [65].”
From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [65]
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Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review
Michalak, M., Pierzak, M., Kręcisz, B., & Suliga, E. (2021) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu13010203 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
“Eberlein-König and Ring have also shown that vitamin C used in combination with vitamin E and, to a lesser extent, with other photoprotective compounds dramatically increases their photoprotective effects as compared to monotherapies [65].”
BackgroundSkin Redox Balance Maintenance: The Need for an Nrf2-Activator Delivery System
Ben-Yehuda Greenwald, M., Ben-Sasson, S., Bianco-Peled, H., & Kohen, R. (2016) · Cosmetics · doi:10.3390/cosmetics3010001 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
- Authors
- Eberlein‐König, B., & Ring, J.
- Affiliations
- Technical University of Munich (DE)
- ORCID
- Ring, J
- Venue
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-01
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 4-9
- ISSN
- 1473-2130 (ISSN-L)
- 1473-2165
- OpenAlex
- W2118696388
- Cited by
- 63
- References
- 39
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 2.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Keywords
- vitamin C, vitamin E, ultraviolet radiation, oxidative stress, photodamage, antioxidants, reactive oxygen species, topical application, oral administration, UV-B radiation, erythema, sunburn cells, photocarcinogenesis, synergistic effect
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