In which products can elastin be found?

The elastin is a fibrous protein essential to the skin’s suppleness and resilience. Found in high concentrations in the dermis, it forms, together with collagen, a supportive network that enables the skin to stretch and then bounce back to its original shape after deformation. Elastin is synthesized by fibroblasts, with production peaking during childhood and gradually declining with age, contributing to the skin’s progressive loss of elasticity and the emergence of wrinkles. Today, elastin is used in various cosmetic products, primarily those designed to offset its loss in the skin or to boost its production. Most often, elastin is delivered as peptides, which are more stable than the native protein.

• Hydrating creams enriched with elastin.

  To apply to the face and neck, moisturizing creams containing elastin are used to maintain hydration levels in the stratum corneum, but also to slow the onset of signs of aging. Indeed, several studies in vitro, but also in vivo, have shown that topical elastin is capable of acting on wrinkles and skin laxity. Elastin-based moisturizers are therefore generally intended for mature skin, although they are also suitable for younger skin seeking to prevent skin aging.

• Elastin-containing serums.

  Elastin-enriched serums often target loss of firmness and the earliest signs of skin laxity. Their fluid texture promotes penetration and enhances the action of elastin peptides. Used before the moisturizing cream, in the morning and/or evening, elastin serums help diminish wrinkles and improve skin suppleness.

• Eye contours with elastin.

  The eye contour area, particularly thin and lacking in supportive fibers, benefits greatly from an elastin infusion. Elastin integrated into treatments for the eye contour helps maintain elasticity and tonicity in this zone prone to fine lines. This type of product is applied morning and night with gentle tapping to restore a smoother, more refreshed appearance to the eyes.

• Sun protection products containing elastin.

  Elastin-enriched sunscreen formulations deliver a dual action: they protect skin from UV radiation while preserving its suppleness. Elastin helps offset the loss of elastic fibers induced by the photoaging, a phenomenon directly linked to repeated sun exposure. It should be noted that, to be effective, the SPF-containing products, whether or not they include elastin, must be applied generously before any exposure and regularly reapplied to maintain the sun protection.

• Lip treatments (masks, balms, etc.) containing elastin.

  It is not uncommon to find elastin in lip balms or masks designed for this area because of its moisturizing and firming properties. By reinforcing the skin structure of the lips and enhancing their hydration, elastin helps smooth fine vertical lines and prevent minor chapping. The lip balms can be used several times a day, while the masks are preferably applied at night in a thick layer to reveal softer, more hydrated lips by the next morning.

• Anti-stretch mark care with elastin.

  Occasionally, elastin is included in anti-stretch mark formulations, as the formation of these streaks is linked to the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis. The idea is therefore to support the skin’s resilience by providing it with elastin topically, often combined with collagen in these treatments. However, scientific studies on the efficacy of topical elastin for the prevention or reduction of stretch marks remain limited and inconclusive to date.

• Shampoos containing elastin.

  Some shampoos incorporate elastin into their formula to support scalp hydration. No clinical study has yet specifically evaluated the effect of elastin applied to the scalp, but it is reasonable to assume that it contributes to maintaining hydration, as it does for the rest of the skin. These shampoos are used like a shampoo in the traditional way: they are massaged onto wet scalp and then thoroughly rinsed.

• Conditioners and hair serums/oils enriched with elastin.

  Some conditioners and hair serums or oils contain elastin, promoted for its supposed role in the flexibility and strength of hair fibers, by analogy with its function in the skin. According to these product claims, it helps maintain hair elasticity and reduce breakage. However, no scientific study has confirmed these hair benefits to date.

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• DE CARVALHO C. M. & al. Elastin structure and its involvement in skin photoageing. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2016).

• CHILKOTI A. & al. Elastin-like polypeptides for biomedical applications. Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (2020).

• DANIELS R. & al. Clinical relevance of elastin in the structure and function of skin. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (2021).

• GUO C. & al. Applications of elastin in cosmetics: Prospects and challenges. Cosmetics (2025).