Superoxide Dismutase
An antioxidant enzyme of living cells. On skin it stays in the upper epidermis. Human data are scarce
Evidence by route
Topical application
Human data are old and few. Applied before UVB, SOD did not reduce erythema. In one study, an SOD gel applied after irradiation reduced erythema by 41.6%. The protein stays in the upper skin layers and loses activity in cosmetic bases. There are no data on wrinkles
- Montenegro L et al. Protective effect evaluation of free radical scavengers on UVB induced human cutaneous erythema by skin reflectance spectrophotometry. Int J Cosmet Sci. 1995;17(3):91-103. PMID 19245494
- Filipe P et al. Epidermal localization and protective effects of topically applied superoxide dismutase. Exp Dermatol. 1997;6(3):116-21. PMID 9226133
- Sgouros D et al. Novel topical agent containing superoxide dismutase 100 000 IU and 4% of plant extracts as a mono-therapy for atopic dermatitis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(6):1069-1072. PMID 29134748
- Salazar-Formoso V et al. Efficacy of Superoxide Dismutase in the Treatment of Vitiligo: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2025;17(7):e88335. PMID 40842761
- Niwa Y Lipid peroxides and superoxide dismutase (SOD) induction in skin inflammatory diseases, and treatment with SOD preparations. Dermatologica. 1989;179 Suppl 1:101-6. PMID 2673851
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- No effective concentration has been established. In an open study in atopic dermatitis, the cream contained 100,000 IU of SOD plus 4% plant extracts (Sgouros 2018)
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an enzyme that neutralizes the superoxide radical inside living cells. Cosmetic SOD comes from different sources, and efficacy studies do not distinguish between them. On skin, SOD has two problems. It is a large protein. Labeled SOD applied to human and mouse skin stayed in the stratum corneum, the upper granular layer and around hair follicle openings (Filipe 1997). It is also unstable: in a petrolatum-rich base it lost activity quickly, and in a water-rich base within 3 months (Niwa 1989). Human data are old and few. In healthy volunteers, SOD gels and emulsions applied before UVB did not reduce erythema. Applied after irradiation, the SOD gel reduced it by 41.6% (Montenegro 1995). SOD applied before PUVA protected mouse and human skin from the inflammatory reaction. The abstract gives no numbers or design (Filipe 1997). In 20 patients with atopic dermatitis, SCORAD fell from 32.61 to 10.55 after 30 days of a cream with SOD and plant extracts. There was no control group (Sgouros 2018). A systematic review covered 8 RCTs of topical or oral SOD in vitiligo. Six of them found no difference from control (Salazar-Formoso 2025). There are no human data on wrinkles or photoaging. Tolerability was good in all trials of the vitiligo review. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Superoxide Dismutase safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Superoxide Dismutase during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Superoxide Dismutase for?
Superoxide Dismutase suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Superoxide Dismutase and what does it do in cosmetics?
An antioxidant enzyme of living cells.
What's the INCI name for Superoxide Dismutase?
The INCI name is Superoxide Dismutase. It may also appear as: SOD.
What concentration of Superoxide Dismutase is effective?
No effective concentration has been established. In an open study in atopic dermatitis, the cream contained 100,000 IU of SOD plus 4% plant extracts (Sgouros 2018)
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