Cited by 150Trace Elements in HealthWound Healing and TreatmentsNanoparticles: synthesis and applications

Using Copper to Improve the Well-Being of the Skin

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Borkow, Gadi·2015·Current Chemical Biology

Abstract

Copper has two key properties that are being exploited in consumer and medical device products in the last decade. On the one hand, copper has potent biocidal properties. On the other hand, copper is involved in numerous physiological and metabolic processes critical for the appropriate functioning of almost all tissues in the human body. In the skin, copper is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of extracellular matrix skin proteins and angiogenesis. This manuscript reviews clinical studies that show that the use of textile consumer and medical device products, embedded with microscopic copper oxide particles, improve the well-being of the skin. These include studies showing a) cure of athlete's foot infections and improvement in skin elasticity, especially important for individuals suffering from diabetes; b) reduction of facial fine line and wrinkles; and c) enhancement of wound healing; by copper oxide embedded socks, pillowcases and wound dressings, respectively. The manuscript also reviews and discusses the mechanisms by which the presence of copper in these products improves skin well-being.

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  • Copper is a cofactor of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme involved in protecting the skin against the harmful effects of free radicals, and also prevents oxidative damage to cell membranes and lipid peroxidation.

    “It is a cofactor of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme involved in protecting the skin against the harmful effects of free radicals, and also prevents oxidative damage to cell membranes and lipid peroxidation [118,126].”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [118]

  • Copper ions are commonly included in cosmetics, and copper is used as an active component of face creams, including those for the care of mature, tired, dull or oily skin.

    “Copper ions are commonly included in cosmetics. Cu is used as an active component of face creams, including those for the care of mature, tired, dull or oily skin [118,130].”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [118]

  • Copper stimulates the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of extracellular matrix skin proteins and angiogenesis.

    “Cu stimulates the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and is involved in the synthesis and stabilization of extracellular matrix skin proteins and angiogenesis.”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [118]

  • Copper ions reduce the risk of fungal and bacterial infection of minor wounds and cuts, as well as enhancing wound healing.

    “Copper ions reduce the risk of the fungal and bacterial infection of minor wounds and cuts, as well as enhancing wound healing [118].”

    From Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review (2021) · cites this paper as [118]

  • Copper aids in improving skin elasticity, reducing facial fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting wound healing.

    “Clinical studies have shown that copper aids in improving skin elasticity, reducing facial fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting wound healing [63].”

    From Diet and Skin Aging—From the Perspective of Food Nutrition (2020) · cites this paper as [63]

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Authors
Borkow, G.
Affiliations
Cupron (Israel) (IL)
Corresponding author
Borkow, Gadi
Venue
Current Chemical Biology
Published
2015-04-06
Volume
8
Issue
2
Pages
89-102
ISSN
  • 1872-3136 (ISSN-L)
  • 2212-7968
OpenAlex
W2320500762
Cited by
149
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2
FWCI
4.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Chemical Biology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Wound Healing and Treatments
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Nanoparticles: synthesis and applications
Keywords
copper, copper oxide, biocidal properties, extracellular matrix proteins, angiogenesis, tinea pedis, skin elasticity, diabetes mellitus, wrinkles, wound healing, wound dressings, medical devices

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