Hydrogen permeation through high strength DP1180 steel was studied by Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS analyses showed that hydrogen desorption from the steel increased the ratio Fe(II)/Fe(III) related to oxide film reduction. In parallel, a drop of the electrochemical potential in the oxide film was measured by SKP. Analyses of the composition and potential of the surface were correlated based on Nernst red-ox thermodynamic equilibrium. From this approach, it was shown that the SKP potential can be a measure of hydrogen affecting the surface oxide, but additional contributions should be considered. © 2022 The Authors