Skin Ageing: A Progressive, Multi-Factorial Condition Demanding an Integrated, Multilayer-Targeted Remedy

🔍 Key Finding

Skin aging is a progressive, multi-factorial process demanding an integrated, multi-layer targeted approach involving both topical and oral interventions. Several promising naturally-derived ingredients, including Cordyceps, Cortex Mori, and Acmella oleracea extracts, show efficacy in vitro against various mechanisms of skin aging, warranting further clinical investigation.

🔬 Methodology Overview

Design: Narrative review Data Sources: Published literature on skin aging and anti-aging interventions. Selection Criteria: Focus on molecular, cellular, and tissue-level changes associated with skin aging, as well as both topical and oral anti-aging remedies. Analysis Approach: Qualitative synthesis of findings related to skin architecture, physiology, pathophysiology of aging, and the mechanisms of action of various anti-aging ingredients. Scope: Examination of an integrated, multilayer-targeted approach to skin anti-aging, with a focus on naturally derived ingredients.

📊 Results

• Photoaging: Accounts for as much as 80% of premature facial aging, primarily driven by long-term solar radiation exposure.
• Epidermal Turnover: Decreases by at least 30% in adults in their 80s compared to those in their 30s.
• Skin as a Neuro-Endocrine-Immune Organ: Skin produces biomolecules like neurotrophins, neuropeptides, hormones, and cytokines, and interacts systemically.
• Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage: UV radiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause oxidative damage to DNA and other biomolecules, contributing to skin aging.
• Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP): Senescent cells release pro-inflammatory molecules, contributing to chronic inflammation (“inflammaging”) in aged skin.
• Integrated, Multilayer-Targeted Intervention: Proposed approach for skin anti-aging involves topical and oral interventions targeting different skin layers and processes.
• Naturally Derived Ingredients: Several show promise for anti-aging, including Cordyceps spp., Cortex Mori, Acmella oleracea, Cortex Moutan, Ergothioneine, and Kappaphycus alvarezii extracts, though further clinical trials are needed.

💡 Clinical Impact

This review proposes an integrated, multi-layered approach to skin anti-aging, targeting various depths and mechanisms of aging with both topical and oral interventions. This comprehensive strategy, incorporating promising naturally-derived ingredients, may shift clinical practice towards more holistic and preventative skin rejuvenation, potentially impacting systemic health by addressing “inflammaging” and other age-related processes.

🤔 Limitations

• Mostly in vitro studies cited as evidence.
• Lack of in vivo evidence of efficacy and safety.
• Unknown effect concentrations in formulations.
• Unknown duration of anticipated effects.
• Clinical trials needed to corroborate safety and efficacy of naturally derived ingredients.

✨ What It Means For You

Doctors should consider an integrated, multi-layered approach to treating skin aging, addressing molecular, cellular, and tissue-level changes through topical and oral interventions. Promising naturally-derived ingredients like Cordyceps, Cortex Mori, and Acmella oleracea extracts warrant further clinical investigation to confirm their efficacy and safety as potential anti-aging remedies. This approach may also have positive systemic health implications beyond cosmetic benefits by addressing “inflammaging” and other age-related processes.

Reference

Liang Y, Su W, Wang F. Skin Ageing: A Progressive, Multi-Factorial Condition Demanding an Integrated, Multilayer-Targeted Remedy. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2023;16:1215–1229. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S408765