Potential Use of Spin Traps to Control ROS in Antipollution Cosmetics: A Review

The 2018 review explored the role of spin traps, especially phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN), in protecting the skin from the harmful effects of pollution and sunlight, which can cause oxidative stress, skin aging, inflammation, and uneven pigmentation. Spin traps are unique in their ability to selectively target and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals without interfering with beneficial oxygen molecules. The review noted that PBN, also known for its anti-alopecia properties and hair growth stimulation, could be incorporated into antipollution cosmetics. It suggested encapsulating spin traps in lipid vesicles or using different molecular weights of sodium hyaluronate for transdermal delivery. Despite their potential, the review emphasized the need for further research to overcome toxicity and regulatory challenges before spin traps can be widely adopted in skincare formulations.