skin disease

34 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with skin disease?

A: Of 34 peer-reviewed papers, 27 reported a positive effect (the most common), 1 limited/mixed, 0 negative, 6 not assessed. Study mix: 8 human (1 RCT), 20 animal/basic, 4 meta-analysis or synthesis. The most studied delivery route is topical application. The above aggregates published research and does not constitute a clinically established conclusion. See the individual paper pages for details and Safety notes for inhalation safety. (last updated 2026-05-15)

Evidence breakdown
Human	8	of which RCT	1
Animal/basic	20	Synthesis/meta	4
Reported effect	positive 27 ・ limited/mixed 1 ・ negative 0 ・ not assessed 6

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

topical application: 8 mixed routes: 8 hydrogen-rich water: 6 in vitro: 4 inhalation: 3 hydrogen bath: 3 not specified: 2

The healing effect of hydrogen-rich water on acute radiation-induced skin injury in rats.
2019 ・ J Radiat Res ・ PMID 30260398

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Hydrogen gas inhalation protects against cutaneous ischaemia/reperfusion injury in a mouse model of pressure ulcer.
2018 ・ J Cell Mol Med ・ PMID 29921037

inhalation positive animal study
Hydrogen ameliorates oxidative stress via PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in UVB-induced HaCaT cells.
2018 ・ Int J Mol Med ・ PMID 29532858

in vitro positive in vitro study
Therapeutic effect of molecular hydrogen in corneal UVB-induced oxidative stress and corneal photodamage.
2017 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 29269749

topical application positive animal study
Hydrogen gas protects IP3Rs by reducing disulfide bridges in human keratinocytes under oxidative stress.
2017 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 28620198

in vitro positive in vitro study
Molecular Hydrogen Effectively Heals Alkali-Injured Cornea via Suppression of Oxidative Stress.
2017 ・ Oxid Med Cell Longev ・ PMID 28400915

topical application positive animal study
Improvement of psoriasis-associated arthritis and skin lesions by treatment with molecular hydrogen: A report of three cases.
2015 ・ Mol Med Rep ・ PMID 25936373

mixed routes positive human case report
Eumelanin-driven production of molecular hydrogen: A novel element of skin defense?
2015 ・ Med Hypotheses ・ PMID 25920542

not specified not assessed other
Hydrogen(H2) treatment for acute erythymatous skin diseases. A report of 4 patients with safety data and a non-controlled feasibility study with H2 concentration measurement on two volunteers.
2012 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 22607973

mixed routes positive human case report