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Wrinkles are a product of aging, smoking, sun exposure, pollution, and other factors. Damage to and loss of collagen (which provides skin firmness), elastin (which supplies skin elasticity and rebound) and glycosaminoglycans (which keep the skin hydrated), result in the appearance of roughness, uneven tone, brown patches, thin skin and deep wrinkles. Prevention methods include sun protection, oral and topical use of antioxidants, cessation of smoking, and improved diet. A product’s wrinkle prevention potential can be measured, in part, by its ability to inhibit collagenase and/or elastase.

Collagenase Inhibition

Collagenase, a collagen-degrading enzyme, is considered to be one of the central causes of skin aging. Collagenase is secreted by the molecular synthesis of epidermal cells (cells of the upper skin layer) to combat reactive oxygen species. Collagenase, an immune response like inflammation, causes damage to healthy proteins. The inhibition of collagenase can help preserve collagen and skin health.

Elastase Inhibition

Wrinkle formation in the skin is accompanied by decrease in skin elasticity and the curling of elastic fibers in the dermis. Elastase inhibitors suppress elastase activity and prevent the damage of dermal elastic fibers, thus helping mitigate wrinkle formation.

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