Elastin: what are its benefits for the skin?

Elastin is best known for its ability to impart elasticity and suppleness to the skin, but it may also play a role in skin hydration, at least when included in a topical cream or serum. Indeed, elastin peptides are rich in polar amino acids, which allows them to retain water in the skin. Note that amino acids are considered polar when their side chains carry partial charges or groups capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules. This property of elastin would help keep the skin hydrated and comfortable.

There are still very few studies on the hydrating effect of elastin, but the available results are promising.

In a study, elastin extracted from porcine aorta was tested on skin samples. The results showed that samples treated with this elastin (at an unspecified concentration) had a significantly higher water content than untreated samples, confirming its role in water retention. The study also highlights that elastin has a molecular structure capable of reversible self-assembly and effectively retaining moisture, making it an interesting active ingredient for hydrating skincare formulations.

The elastin and its derived peptides exhibit significant antioxidant potential, due to their amino acid composition capable of neutralizing free radicals. Indeed, certain amino acids in elastin, such as histidine, tryptophan, and tyrosine, can scavenge reactive oxygen species involved in the onset of oxidative stress, which contributes to skin aging, notably through the degradation of dermal collagen and elastin fibers. Sulfur-containing amino acids, such as cysteine and methionine, act as precursors to endogenous antioxidants, including glutathione and N-acetylcysteine.

The antioxidant properties of elastin are particularly beneficial for the skin, as they help limit oxidative stress and preserve the structure of the dermis.

Several studies have demonstrated the antioxidant effects of elastin. In particular, the study conducted by YUSOP and his team in 2019 used elastin isolated from chicken skin. Three types of assays were performed to evaluate the compound’s antioxidant activity: the DPPH assay, which measures the ability to neutralize DPPH free radicals; the ABTS assay, which assesses the scavenging of ABTS radicals; and the metal-chelation assay, which determines the peptides’ capacity to bind metal ions, thereby limiting the formation of free radicals. The results of these three assays, available in the table below, show a moderate antioxidant activity of elastin.

Note : IC50 is the median inhibitory concentration. It represents the concentration of peptides required to neutralize 50% of free radicals in the conducted assay. The lower the IC50 value, the higher the antioxidant power of elastin.

Elastin is primarily used in cosmetics to support skin elasticity and slow the appearance of wrinkles and skin sagging. In addition to their antioxidant properties, studies in vitro have shown that certain elastin peptides can stimulate fibroblast activity, the cells responsible for producing collagen and elastin in the dermis. In one study, elastin peptides derived from bovine ligament (ProK-60) were tested on fibroblasts. The results showed that ProK-60 increased fibroblast proliferation and activity.

These effects were primarily mediated by the activation of elastin receptors. Another study, also conducted in vitro on fibroblasts, though not independently, reached the same conclusions and showed that adding 0.3% elastin to the culture medium doubled elastin synthesis by the fibroblasts. However, it is important to note that these results in vitro do not guarantee that the same mechanism would occur identically in humans upon topical application of elastin, since the penetration capacity of elastin has not been evaluated.

These elastin effects were confirmed in a clinical study conducted with 30 volunteers. Over four weeks, they applied a serum daily containing 0.1 mg/mL of a recombinant elastin‐type polypeptide, designed from the hexapeptide motif VGVAPG, known for its ability to bind elastin receptors and stimulate the production of new fibers. The results demonstrated a significant 25% improvement in skin elasticity and a marked reduction in the number, volume, and area of crow’s‐feet wrinkles, visible after just two weeks of use.

Although additional research is still necessary, elastin appears to be a promising active ingredient for attenuating wrinkles and fine lines.

Elastin is also being investigated for its wound-healing properties. When applied topically or incorporated into hydrogel-type biomaterials, it has demonstrated its ability to accelerate wound closure, stimulate neoepithelialization—that is, the formation of a new epidermis—and promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels. Furthermore, elastin-based hydrogels have distinguished themselves by their capacity to mimic the dermal matrix and by their immunomodulatory action: they recruit macrophages and neutrophils to the wound site and encourage the transition of macrophages toward a reparative phenotype. These combined effects lead to a faster skin regeneration, with better organization of the dermal fibers.

The healing potential of elastin remains to be confirmed in humans, but several studies in rats have already demonstrated its reparative effects.

We can notably cite the experimental study conducted by MOHAMED and his team. The objective was to evaluate the wound closure rate in rats and the quality of tissue regeneration under three conditions: application of native elastin, application of elastin conjugated with tannic acid, or no treatment. The results show that elastin alone or combined with tannic acid significantly accelerates wound contraction compared to the control group. Histological analysis confirmed a faster and better-organized regeneration of the epidermis and dermis in treated rats. Specifically, more complete re-epithelialization, increased fibroblast proliferation, and the reappearance of hair follicles and sebaceous glands were observed, indicating functional tissue reconstruction.

The authors attribute these results to the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of tannic acid, which complement those of elastin and create a conducive environment for skin regeneration.

Finally, elastin and its peptides might also present a slight lightening potential, connected to their ability to modulate melanogenesis, which is the production of melanin in the skin. More precisely, certain fragments of elastin may inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme that converts tyrosine into DOPA, and then into melanin. By reducing this enzymatic activity, elastin could help diminish pigment irregularities and promote a more even complexion. The previously mentioned study on elastin extracted from pig aortas, which evaluated its moisturizing effects, also measured its depigmenting activity. The researchers observed a moderate but statistically measurable inhibition of tyrosinase.

However, these results should be interpreted with caution as the only available study was conducted in vitro.

• JIMENEZ F. & al. Proteolytic digest derived from bovine Ligamentum Nuchae stimulates deposition of new elastin-enriched matrix in cultures and transplants of human dermal fibroblasts. Journal of Dermatological Science (2005).

• MAEDA I. & al. Investigation of water-soluble elastin as a multifunctional cosmetic material: Moisturizing and whitening effects. Journal of Cosmetic Science (2017).

• YUSOP S. M. & al. Isolation, purification and characterization of antioxidative bioactive elastin peptides from poultry skin. Food Science of Animal Resources (2019).

• GAO M. & al. Resource utilization of bovine neck ligament: Enzymatic preparation of elastin peptide and its antioxidant activity. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (2022).

• ZHENG X. & al. An artificially designed elastin-like recombinant polypeptide improves aging skin. American Journal of Translational Research (2022).

• YAN L.-P. & al. In-situ formed elastin-based hydrogels enhance wound healing via promoting innate immune cells recruitment and angiogenesis. Materials Today Bio (2022).

• MOHAMED S. A. & al. Development of bovine elastin/tannic acid bioactive conjugate: Physicochemical, morphological, and wound healing properties. Polymer Bulletin (2024).

• ZIMBILI MSOMI N. & al. The essentiality of amino acids in healthiness and disease state: Type II diabetes as a case study. Food Science & Nutrition (2025).