Electronic nose investigation and antioxidant assessment of CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics toward skin tone improvement

The use of skincare cosmetics can enhance human skin integrity, appearance, and conditions. However, consumers nowadays are quite concerned about the efficacy of skincare cosmetics, particularly those with antioxidant properties that can improve skin tone and skin health. Previous studies also reported that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in skincare cosmetics could have beneficial effects on human skin. This research aims to evaluate the antioxidant properties of CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics as well as to investigate the presence of VOCs that could influence their skin tone improvement properties. The CHARMS™ products used were cleanser, toner, essence, serum, moisturizer, scrub, and night cream. The skin tone improvement was assessed on 20 female volunteers’ facial skin by using a colorimeter. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC). Meanwhile, the VOCs were measured using an electronic nose based on gas chromatography (e-nose-GC). The findings show that skin tone was improved significantly by 3.23 % in which the skin becomes lighter while skin redness was reduced by 5.75 % after using the CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics. The results also show that the cleanser (21.55 ± 0.23 %) and the serum (23.60 ± 0.19 %) had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity. Contrarily, the moisturizer exhibited the highest TPC value (324.14 ± 17.47 mg GAE/g), and the cleanser had the highest TFC value (24.68 ± 1.57 mg QE/g). The VOCs detected in these skincare cosmetics such as limonene and γ-terpinene may have skin-lightening effects. It can be concluded that the tested products from CHARMS™ skincare cosmetics comply with the standard regulations and guidelines for Control of Cosmetic Products in Malaysia and can be used effectively as a daily skincare routine. [Display omitted] •Consumers nowadays are quite concerned about the efficacy of skincare cosmetics.•CHARMS™ products was proven able to improve skin tone and give lightening effect.•The antioxidant potential in CHARMS™ products could act as skin-lightening agents.•Volatile organic compounds detected in CHARMS™ products have skin-lightening effects.•CHARMS™ products can be used effectively as a daily skincare routine.