Reactive oxygen species and lipid radicals in skin (ROS/LPO)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid radicals in skin lipids represent a critical group of reactive molecules that drive cutaneous oxidative stress and tissue damage. These species, including the hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, and various lipid peroxyl radicals, are primarily generated by exogenous factors such as ultraviolet radiation and environmental pollutants, as well as endogenous metabolic pathways (Source: NIH, PubMed). In the skin, they specifically target lipids like squalene and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the sebum and cell membranes, leading to the formation of lipid peroxides that compromise the skin barrier and trigger inflammatory cascades (Source: MDPI, 2021). This process is central to the pathogenesis of photoaging, acne vulgaris, and inflammatory dermatoses like seborrheic dermatitis (Source: Acta Derm Venereol, 2023). Therapeutic intervention typically involves the application of topical antioxidants, such as Vitamin E (tocopherol) and Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which act as radical scavengers to neutralize these reactive species and terminate the self-propagating chain reactions of lipid peroxidation (Source: PubMed, 2021). Monitoring these targets is essential for evaluating the efficacy of dermatological treatments and anti-pollution skincare products using biomarkers like squalene monohydroperoxide (Source: Skin Research and Technology, 2020).

Other names

Skin lipid peroxidesCutaneous reactive oxygen speciesLipid hydroperoxidesSqualene monohydroperoxideSkin oxidative stress markers

Radical scavenging, quenching of singlet oxygen, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation chain propagation to prevent cellular and structural damage.