What are the various applications of elastin?

Key takeaways.

Elastin is a natural dermal protein that is responsible for skin elasticity.
In topical application, elastin promotes hydration, firmness and skin healing. It is suitable for daily use, without particular contraindication.
In oral supplementation, elastin is often combined with collagen to improve skin elasticity and hydration. Elastin cures (1 mg per day/30 to 90 days) do not present any particular contraindication, but we advise you to seek medical advice beforehand.

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Elastin, an active ingredient present in an increasing number of cosmetic formulations.

Essential to the dermal structure, the elastin is a protein that provides the skin with its elasticity and its ability to return to its original shape after deformation. With age, its natural production declines, contributing to skin laxity. To compensate for this reduction, some skincare products incorporate topical elastin, often in peptide form. Studies have demonstrated that it helps improve skin hydration, stimulates the endogenous production of collagen and elastin, and enhances skin firmness. Other studies have also revealed antioxidant potential. These combined properties have led the elastin to establish itself as a versatile active ingredient.

How to integrate elastin into your skincare regimen?

Elastin is renowned for its high biocompatibility and excellent skin tolerance. Available clinical studies report no notable side effects, nor any irritation or photosensitization reactions. Therefore, this active ingredient can be used morning and evening, year-round, including pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, it is important to follow the supplier’s recommendations: the frequency and method of application vary depending on the product type (creams, serums, masks…) and the active ingredients with which the elastin is combined.

It is also believed that elastin has moisturizing and softening properties for hair, but scientific data are still insufficient to confirm that this active ingredient provides genuine hair benefits. This is why hair products formulated with elastin remain scarce. It is mostly found in certain masks or treatments for mid-lengths and ends, where it is intended to help soften and smooth the hair fiber. These products are applied after shampooing, on towel-dried hair, and left on for a few minutes before rinsing.

Oral elastin supplementation: what are the usage instructions?

Elastin is not used only in the form of creams or serums: it can also be taken as an oral supplement. Often combined with collagen, dietary elastin supplements help hydrate the skin and maintain its firmness. This combination was evaluated in a double-blind clinical study involving 70 women. Over eight weeks, they received a daily beverage containing collagen and elastin peptides or a placebo.

The results demonstrated significant improvements in skin hydration, transepidermal water loss, and elasticity, as well as a reduction in wrinkles among women who received collagen and elastin, compared with the placebo group. The researchers also observed a 21.64% increase in dermal collagen content in the test group, which seems to confirm the benefit of this type of supplementation with collagen peptides and elastin peptides in maintaining skin firmness and suppleness.

+ 39.19%

Skin hydration after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

- 33.45%

Insensible water loss after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

+ 25.37%

Elasticity after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

- 18.09%

Reduction in wrinkles after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

Did you know : There are no foods that contain elastin per se. However, a diet rich in antioxidants, particularly those found in green vegetables, red berries, or citrus fruits, helps protect elastin fibers from oxidative stress and promotes their synthesis.

How should elastin be administered orally?

In practical terms, oral elastin supplementation is most commonly available as powders, capsules, tablets, or liquid beverages containing 500 mg of elastin peptides. Most suppliers recommend taking 1 g to 1.5 g of elastin per day for one to three months. No specific contraindications have been reported, although brands offering oral elastin generally advise pregnant women to seek medical advice before beginning supplementation. This is actually a good practice for anyone wishing to start a regimen, pregnant or not, even though elastin is not a medication.

Note : Unlike hyaluronic acid, there are no elastin injections, only vials that resemble single-dose serums.