Inorganic ions in the skin: Allies or enemies?

Abstract

Skin constitutes a barrier protecting the organism against physical and chemical factors. Therefore, it is constantly exposed to the xenobiotics, including inorganic ions that are ubiquitous in the environment. Some of them play important roles in homeostasis and regulatory functions of the body, also in the skin, while others can be considered dangerous. Many authors have shown that inorganic ions could penetrate inside the skin and possibly induce local effects. In this review, we give an account of the current knowledge on the effects of skin exposure to inorganic ions. Beneficial effects on skin conditions related to the use of thermal spring waters are discussed together with the application of aluminium in underarm hygiene products and silver salts in treatment of difficult wounds. Finally, the potential consequences of dermal exposure to topical sensitizers and harmful heavy ions including radionuclides are discussed.

Skin Minerals: Key Roles of Inorganic Elements in Skin Physiological Functions

“…Most of the mineral elements present in living tissues occur in ionized form, dissolved in the body liquids and, obviously, do not interact as a dry mineral matter. This is also the case in the skin where they occur in ionized form in its three main components: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue [ 13 , 14 ]. Sulfur-rich so-called “hard keratins” of hair and nails are exceptions, and so are the protein-bound metals involved in transport and enzymatic processing of other molecules, e.g., iron in the heme, selenium in glutathione peroxidases [ 15 ], or zinc in matrix metalloproteinases.…”

“…Mineral balance is of crucial importance for the fundamental biological functions of the skin. An adequate amount of each and every element is required for proper functioning of the tissues, meaning that deficiency, and sometimes also excess, may cause problems and could be associated with pathologies [ 14 ]. As previously mentioned, the trace elements zinc, copper and manganese are used in vivo in some local preparations because of their healing properties.…”

Applying Seaweed Compounds in Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals and Nutricosmetics

“…Seaweeds have been described as an ideal safe natural source of minerals. Inorganic ions play important roles in different functions of the skin, whereas others can be considered dangerous as a consequence of dermal exposure [253]. Table 5 shows the average mineral content in different type of seaweeds.…”

Electrospun organic/inorganic hybrid nanofibers for accelerating wound healing: a review

“…Skin primarily consists of water and an organic matrix, yet it also contains various inorganic elements, including calcium, iron, silicon, and zinc. 34,35 By incorporating these inorganic components with the organic matrix, the bioactivity of the hybrid nanofibrous membranes can be greatly enhanced. [36][37][38][39] As such, the use of electrospinning to create organic/inorganic hybrid nanofibers as novel wound dressings has seen rapid evolvement in recent years.…”