Reconstructed epidermal models may provide a suitable and relevant model for screening compounds such as quinones, which affect the activities of phase I and II enzymes involved in epidermal detoxification. Reconstructed epidermis may also allow the study of the metabolism of topically applied compounds by the phase I and II enzymes. We demonstrate that NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (NQR) activity is present in three different types of reconstructed epidermal models and that levels vary depending on the type of model. We also determined the inter- and intrabatch variability and demonstrate that NQR activity can be significantly inhibited by dicumarol treatment. The NQR activity in reconstructed epidermis is similar to that in human epidermis and lower than in cultured keratinocytes. Therefore reconstructed epidermis is a more suitable model for testing the effects of topically applied compounds on NQR activity or the metabolism of the compound by NQR. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel