Evaluation of antioxidant properties of dermocosmetic creams by direct electrochemical measurements

Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were preliminarily used in order to evaluate the global antioxidant properties of dermocosmetic creams. Experiments were performed by introducing electrodes directly into the creams without any pretreatment of the samples. Current-potential curves showed significant anodic current depending on the antioxidant-containing cream studied. In comparison, little amperometric response was recorded with an antioxidant-free cream base. Aqueous solutions of the corresponding antioxidants showed analogous anodic waves and similar peak potentials. A correlation between the global anodic peak and the presence of the antioxidant species in the cream was made with eleven skin creams, attesting to the reliability of the method. Among the tested electrode materials, platinum gave the best results in terms of electrochemical kinetics and measurement precision (current peak standard deviation less than 5%). Exposure of a depilatory cream to oxidizing agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, air, or light) caused a decrease in peak current as expected. This methodology enabled us to evaluate the evolution of the total antioxidant capacity under oxidative stress and gives encouragement to further development of a voltammetric method to quantify cream antioxidant power.