Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants in Skin Diseases and Skin Health

Dear Colleagues,

Oxidative stress is defined as a state of imbalance in which the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) exceeds the body’s innate antioxidant defense capacity. As the primary interface with the external environment, the skin is particularly vulnerable to exogenous pro-oxidant factors, including solar UV radiation, environmental pollution, and psychological stress, as well as endogenous ROS generated as byproducts of mitochondrial metabolism. When these reactive molecules accumulate, they can cause significant damage to DNA, cellular proteins, and lipid membranes, thereby compromising the structural and functional integrity of the skin.

In dermatology, oxidative damage is recognized as a major contributor to extrinsic, photo-induced, and chronological (intrinsic) skin aging, as well as to the development of various cutaneous diseases. Oxidative and redox alterations associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, impaired stress responses, and inflammaging are increasingly recognized as important components of intrinsic skin aging. ROS also act as important signaling molecules that can stimulate melanogenesis, contributing to pigmentary disorders such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Moreover, oxidative stress is increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and immune-mediated skin conditions, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and alopecia areata.

The skin possesses an endogenous antioxidant defense system that includes enzymatic components, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as glutathione and vitamin C. Strengthening these natural defenses through topical antioxidant strategies has emerged as a promising approach for mitigating oxidative damage. Beyond individual antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and resveratrol, emerging approaches include direct radical-scavenging compounds, modulators of endogenous antioxidant and cytoprotective pathways, particularly NRF2 activators, agents targeting lipid peroxidation and related oxidative damage, and senotherapeutic strategies, including senolytics and senomorphics/senostatics. These approaches may provide broader and more mechanistically targeted protection against multiple sources of oxidative stress.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the role of oxidative stress in dermatology, with particular emphasis on its molecular mechanisms, clinical implications, and emerging therapeutic strategies. We welcome original research articles, systematic and narrative reviews, and other relevant contributions addressing the relationship between oxidative stress and extrinsic, photo-induced, and intrinsic skin aging, pigmentation disorders, inflammatory and autoimmune dermatoses, hair disorders, photodamage, environmental exposures, and antioxidant- and redox-based interventions. Contributions exploring novel biomarkers, mechanisms of redox signaling, endogenous antioxidant pathways, oxidative lipid damage, cellular senescence and innovative formulations are particularly encouraged.

Dr. Cristina Mitran
Dr. Irina Mitran
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• oxidative stress
• antioxidants
• inflammatory skin disorders
• skin aging
• therapy
• biomarkers