The invention relates to a composition for topical use containing at least one oxidation sensitive hydrophilic active principle and at least one maleic anhydride copolymer, comprising one or more maleic anhydride comonomers and one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone, olefins containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, and styrene, in a physiologically acceptable medium containing an aqueous phase. The invention also relates to the use of a maleic anhydride copolymer as defined above for stabilizing an oxidation-sensitive hydrophilic active principle, in particular in the aqueous phase.