Human Skin Aging and the Anti-Aging Properties of Retinol

Retinol has been widely added to skincare products due to its ability to promote the proliferation of skin keratinocytes and regulate skin cell collagen expression. While it is known the skin harbors a myriad of commensal bacteria, the impact of retinol on the skin microbiome, as well as the role of the skin microbiome in mediating the anti-aging properties of retinol, remains poorly understood. In this study, we incorporated phenomics, metagenomics and metabolomics to explore the human skin alterations during the anti-aging process mediated by retinol, and potential interactions between retinol, skin microbiome and metabolites.Topical retinol significantly improved skin conditions, including enhancing skin hydration, acidifying the epidermis, strengthening the skin barrier, and reducing the number and volume of wrinkles. Furthermore, retinol also reshaped the skin microecology by altering the structure and function of the skin microbiome as well as the host and microbial metabolites. Through GEM construction, we identified 2 skin microorganism,Sericytochromatia sp.andCorynebacterium kefirresidentiicapable of oxidizing retinol to retinal. Over 10 skin microbes can utilize UDP-glucose as a carbon source, potentially accelerating RAG hydrolysis and increasing glucuronic acid consumption. The retinoic acid and retinol generated by RAG hydrolysis are reused by skin cells and microbes, enhancing retinol metabolism and its effective duration. This combined effect between the skin microbiome and retinol improves skin condition and anti-aging efficacy.

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Effects of spironolactone on skin biophysical properties in women with acne treated with oral spironolactone

Kiratikanon,

Maneenut,

Noppakun

et al. 2024

The Journal of Dermatology

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BackgroundSpironolactone (SPL) is an effective treatment for women acne, but other effects on skin biophysical properties remain to be investigated.ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to explore the effects of oral SPL used to treat women acne on skin biophysical properties, including hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin surface lipid (SSL) levels, mechanical properties, color, pH, and pore size.Materials and MethodsTwenty‐five Thai women with acne treated with oral SPL were followed for 6 months. Skin hydration, TEWL, SSL levels, mechanical properties, color, pH, and pore size of the forehead, chest, and inner arm were evaluated at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment with oral SPL. Facial and upper back pore size were also assessed. Clinical outcomes were changes in these skin biophysical properties at each visit compared with baseline.ResultsSkin hydration, TEWL, SSL levels, color, pH, and pore size remained stable throughout the study. Facial skin parameters at 6 months demonstrated the following changes: hydration levels, 7.60 (95% confidence interval [CI], −59.74 to 74.94); TEWL, −2.36 (95% CI, −5.77 to 1.06); L* value, 0.51 (95% CI, −0.70 to 1.72); individual typology angle, 1.65 (95% CI −2.27 to 5.57); pH, 0.01 (95% CI −0.43 to 0.46); pore size, −0.24 (95% CI, −1.21 to 0.73); and SSL levels, 7.60 (95% CI −59.74 to 74.94). Improvement of facial mechanical properties was observed. R0 (indicating skin tightness) and R1 (indicating elasticity) showed significant decreases (−0.076 [95% CI, −0.141 to −0.010] and −0.016 [95% CI, −0.033 to −0.001]). R3 and R4 (representing tiring effects) were also improved (−0.091 [95% CI, −0.158 to −0.025] and −0.022 [95% CI, −0.044 to −0.001]). Parameters in the truncal and inner arm areas remained stable, except for skin elasticity and tiring effects, which exhibited a similar trend of improvement as the facial area. The changes were notable as early as 4 months.ConclusionOral SPL used for acne did not impair the skin barrier. Moreover, the skin mechanical properties were improved at 4 to 6 months.

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Human Skin Aging and the Anti-Aging Properties of Retinol

Cited by 7 publications

References 92 publications

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Decoding the anti-aging effect of retinol in reshaping the human skin microbiome niches

Effects of spironolactone on skin biophysical properties in women with acne treated with oral spironolactone

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