RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY ANTIOXIDANT INTAKE AND SKIN HYDRATION LEVELS IN WOMEN AGED 25 TO 40: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Keywords:
Oxidative stress, Skin hydration, Antioxidant intake, Dietary antioxidants, Corneometer, South Asian women, Nutrition, Hydration predictorsAbstract
Background: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in skin barrier dysfunction and hydration loss. Antioxidants from dietary sources such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts may counteract oxidative damage and improve skin hydration. However, evidence linking dietary antioxidant intake to hydration status in South Asian women remains limited.
Objective: To investigate whether higher dietary antioxidant intake is associated with improved skin hydration levels in women aged 25 to 40 years.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lahore over four months. A total of 150 healthy women were recruited through community-based sampling. Dietary antioxidant intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and antioxidant indices were calculated for vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, selenium, and polyphenols. Skin hydration was objectively measured using a Corneometer® CM 825 at standardized anatomical sites. Data on age, BMI, water intake, smoking, and moisturizer use were also collected. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, one-way ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of participants was 32.1 ± 4.5 years, with a mean hydration score of 44.6 ± 9.2 units. Antioxidant intake was positively correlated with hydration levels (r = 0.41, p < 0.001). Women in the highest antioxidant tertile had significantly greater hydration scores compared to those in the lowest tertile (49.1 ± 8.1 vs. 40.2 ± 8.7, p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed antioxidant intake as an independent predictor of hydration (β = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.21–0.55, p < 0.001), alongside water intake and moisturizer use.
Conclusion: Higher dietary antioxidant intake was significantly associated with better skin hydration, supporting the role of nutrition in dermatological health. Promotion of antioxidant-rich diets may serve as a complementary strategy for improving skin barrier function.
References
1. Vollmer DL, West VA, Lephart EDJIjoms. Enhancing skin health: By oral administration of natural compounds and minerals with implications to the dermal microbiome. 2018;19(10):3059.
2. Stanescu C, Chiscop I, Mihalache D, Popa F, Tamas C, Stoleriu GJN. Skin Aging and Carotenoids: A Systematic Review of Their Multifaceted Protective Mechanisms. 2025;17(16):2596.
3. Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive compounds for skin health: A review. Nutrients. 2021; 13: 203. s Note: MDPI stays neu-tral with regard to jurisdictional clai-ms in …; 2021.
4. Budzianowska A, Banaś K, Budzianowski J, Kikowska MJAS. Antioxidants to defend healthy and youthful skin—current trends and future directions in cosmetology. 2025;15(5):2571.
5. Sahawneh PJJoIH. Factors influencing skin health from within. 2024;3(1):156-63.
6. Jaffri JMJTMjomsM. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant system in selected skin disorders. 2023;30(1):7.
7. Michalak MJIjoms. Plant-derived antioxidants: Significance in skin health and the ageing process. 2022;23(2):585.
8. Jiang N, Quan T, Li R, Chen Y, Gao TJB. Role of Nutritional Elements in Skin Homeostasis: A Review. 2025;15(6):808.
9. Wróblewska J, Długosz A, Czarnecki D, Tomaszewicz W, Błaszak B, Szulc J, et al. The Role of Oxidative Stress in Skin Disorders Associated with Alcohol Dependency and Antioxidant Therapies. 2025;30(15):3111.
10. Jain A. Skin Diseases Mechanisms and Treatments. The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Health and Disease: IGI Global Scientific Publishing; 2025. p. 377-410.
11. Elsisi R, Helal DO, Mekhail G, Abou Hussein D, Osama AJAoPSASU. Advancements in skin aging treatment: Exploring antioxidants and nanoparticles for enhanced skin permeation. 2023;7(2):376-401.
12. Pincemail J, Meziane SJA. On the potential role of the antioxidant couple vitamin E/selenium taken by the oral route in skin and hair health. 2022;11(11):2270.
13. Mohiuddin AKJIJCDR. Skin aging & modern age anti-aging strategies. 2019;7:209-40.
14. Lohani A, Kaur R, Verma N. Nutraceuticals: An Emerging Concept for Skin Care. Herbals as Nutraceuticals: Apple Academic Press; 2024. p. 181-95.
15. Bakir S, Kalyoncu-Atasoy ZB, Gulsunoglu-Konuskan Z, Khan ZS. Functional foods and skin health: radiance from within. Unleashing the Power of Functional Foods and Novel Bioactives: Elsevier; 2025. p. 299-313.
16. Ibrahim M, Singh H, Fahim M, Khan S, Khan J, Arun JK, et al. Nutraceutical Interventions for Mitigating Skin Ageing: Analysis of Mechanisms and Efficacy. 2025.
17. Zaid AN, Al Ramahi R, design JCp. Depigmentation and anti-aging treatment by natural molecules. 2019;25(20):2292-312.
18. Knaggs H, Bartlett M, Wood S, Burke D, Namkoong JJCDP, Procedures. the contribution of Dietary Nutrients and supplements to skin health. 2022:442-9.
19. Parga A, Coven HJJoID. Traditional Diets and Skin Longevity: Okinawan, Nordic, and Blue Zone Insights. 2025.
20. Fam VW. The Influence of Mango Fruit Intake on Skin and Vascular Health in Humans: University of California, Davis; 2021.
21. Han HS, Seok J, Park KYJAoD. Air Pollution and Skin Diseases. 2025;37(2):53.
22. Iqubal MK, Chaudhuri A, Iqubal A, Saleem S, Gupta MM, Ahuja A, et al. Targeted delivery of natural bioactives and lipid-nanocargos against signaling pathways involved in skin cancer. 2021;28(39):8003-35.
23. Sarmento FPLMR. Development of Personal Care Products with Active Ingredients Obtained from Natural Products Without Added Value: Universidade do Porto (Portugal); 2016.
24. Dunaway S, Odin R, Zhou L, Ji L, Zhang Y, Kadekaro ALJFip. Natural antioxidants: multiple mechanisms to protect skin from solar radiation. 2018;9:358049.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Tanzeel Sadiq, Anees Rafique, Ramsha Zuberi (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
