Modern Research is Making Skin Longevity Possible
What geroscience reveals about healthy skin in old age — and why prevention is the better way
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The skin is not only our largest organ, but also one of the most visible signs of aging. Research is increasingly showing that skin aging is not a purely cosmetic issue, but is closely linked to the biological processes of aging as a whole. New findings from geroscience show how the skin's aging process can be slowed down in a targeted manner — with the aim of keeping the skin not only more beautiful, but above all healthier and more resilient.
From anti-aging to prevention
For a long time, the buzzword “anti-aging” dominated skincare — with a focus on the visible signs of aging. A change is taking place today: Instead of concealing symptoms, the focus is on preventing age-related cell changes. This new approach is based on the understanding that skin aging — like other aging processes — is controlled by molecular and cellular mechanisms that can be influenced in part.
The role of geroscience
Geroscience investigates the biological basis of aging and how they relate to chronic diseases and functional losses. With regard to the skin, the focus is on the following processes, among others:
- Cellular senescence: With increasing age, “aged” cells accumulate, which are no longer able to divide, but release inflammatory messenger substances and weaken the skin structure.
- DNA damage & repair mechanisms: UV radiation, environmental toxins and oxidative processes damage the genetic material in skin cells. With age, the ability to repair these damages decreases.
- Telomere shortening: Telomeres are the protective caps of our chromosomes and shorten with every cell division. Its length is considered a marker of biological age — including in the skin.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: The cells' “power plants” produce less energy and more harmful free radicals as we age, which further accelerates skin aging.
Geroprotective approaches in skincare
The findings from geroscience open up new paths in skin care. The focus is on the idea of the so-called Geroprotectors — Agents that specifically target the biological pathways of aging. This is not about short-term smoothing effects, but about maintaining cell health over the long term.
Some of these approaches include activating certain longevity genes (such as sirtuins), reducing cellular senescence, or promoting cellular purification processes such as autophagy. Restoring a healthy skin barrier and supporting the microbiome also play a central role in modern, prevention-oriented concepts.
Skin aging as a holistic process
Skin does not age in isolation — it is an expression of a person's entire biological state. Sleep, diet, stress regulation, and environmental influences such as UV exposure have a direct effect on skin health. Accordingly, a holistic prevention approach that combines skin care, lifestyle and scientifically based interventions is recommended.
Conclusion
The shift from “anti-aging” to “skin longevity” marks a paradigm shift in skin care: away from short-term effects towards a sustainable, health-oriented strategy. Geroscience provides the basis for this — and shows that healthy skin at any age is more than just an ideal of beauty: it is an expression of healthy aging.
References
Publiziert
4.6.2025
Kategorie
Longevity
Experte
Scientific Terms
Chromosome
The compact structure in which a cell's DNA is organized and which is held together by proteins. The genomes of the various organisms are arranged in a different number of chromosomes. Human cells have 23 pairs.
Cellular Senescence
The process that occurs when normal cells stop dividing and start releasing inflammatory molecules, sometimes caused by telomere shortening, DNA damage, or epigenomic noise. Despite their apparent “zombie” state, senescent cells remain alive and damage neighboring cells with their inflammatory secretions.
DNA
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that encodes the information that a cell needs to function or a virus needs to replicate. Forms a double helix that resembles a twisted ladder, similar to a zipper. The bases, abbreviated as A, C, T, and G, are on either side of the ladder or strand that run in opposite directions. The bases exert an attraction on each other so that A sticks to T and C to G. The sequence of these letters is known as the genetic code.
Telomere/Telomere Loss
Gr. Télos' Ende 'and' Télos' Teil '
A telomere is a cap that protects the end of the chromosome from wear and tear, comparable to the awl on the end of a shoelace or the burnt end of a rope to prevent fraying. As we age, telomeres erode to the point where the cell reaches the Hayflick limit. This is the point at which the cell sees the erosion as a break in DNA, stops dividing and becomes senescent.
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell's powerhouse and break down nutrients to generate energy in a process called cellular respiration. They contain their own circular genome.
The skin is not only our largest organ, but also one of the most visible signs of aging. Research is increasingly showing that skin aging is not a purely cosmetic issue, but is closely linked to the biological processes of aging as a whole. New findings from geroscience show how the skin's aging process can be slowed down in a targeted manner — with the aim of keeping the skin not only more beautiful, but above all healthier and more resilient.
From anti-aging to prevention
For a long time, the buzzword “anti-aging” dominated skincare — with a focus on the visible signs of aging. A change is taking place today: Instead of concealing symptoms, the focus is on preventing age-related cell changes. This new approach is based on the understanding that skin aging — like other aging processes — is controlled by molecular and cellular mechanisms that can be influenced in part.
The role of geroscience
Geroscience investigates the biological basis of aging and how they relate to chronic diseases and functional losses. With regard to the skin, the focus is on the following processes, among others:
- Cellular senescence: With increasing age, “aged” cells accumulate, which are no longer able to divide, but release inflammatory messenger substances and weaken the skin structure.
- DNA damage & repair mechanisms: UV radiation, environmental toxins and oxidative processes damage the genetic material in skin cells. With age, the ability to repair these damages decreases.
- Telomere shortening: Telomeres are the protective caps of our chromosomes and shorten with every cell division. Its length is considered a marker of biological age — including in the skin.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: The cells' “power plants” produce less energy and more harmful free radicals as we age, which further accelerates skin aging.
Geroprotective approaches in skincare
The findings from geroscience open up new paths in skin care. The focus is on the idea of the so-called Geroprotectors — Agents that specifically target the biological pathways of aging. This is not about short-term smoothing effects, but about maintaining cell health over the long term.
Some of these approaches include activating certain longevity genes (such as sirtuins), reducing cellular senescence, or promoting cellular purification processes such as autophagy. Restoring a healthy skin barrier and supporting the microbiome also play a central role in modern, prevention-oriented concepts.
Skin aging as a holistic process
Skin does not age in isolation — it is an expression of a person's entire biological state. Sleep, diet, stress regulation, and environmental influences such as UV exposure have a direct effect on skin health. Accordingly, a holistic prevention approach that combines skin care, lifestyle and scientifically based interventions is recommended.
Conclusion
The shift from “anti-aging” to “skin longevity” marks a paradigm shift in skin care: away from short-term effects towards a sustainable, health-oriented strategy. Geroscience provides the basis for this — and shows that healthy skin at any age is more than just an ideal of beauty: it is an expression of healthy aging.
Experte
Referenzen
Publiziert
4.6.2025
Kategorie
Longevity
Wissenschaftliche Begriffe
Chromosome
The compact structure in which a cell's DNA is organized and which is held together by proteins. The genomes of the various organisms are arranged in a different number of chromosomes. Human cells have 23 pairs.
Cellular Senescence
The process that occurs when normal cells stop dividing and start releasing inflammatory molecules, sometimes caused by telomere shortening, DNA damage, or epigenomic noise. Despite their apparent “zombie” state, senescent cells remain alive and damage neighboring cells with their inflammatory secretions.
DNA
Abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that encodes the information that a cell needs to function or a virus needs to replicate. Forms a double helix that resembles a twisted ladder, similar to a zipper. The bases, abbreviated as A, C, T, and G, are on either side of the ladder or strand that run in opposite directions. The bases exert an attraction on each other so that A sticks to T and C to G. The sequence of these letters is known as the genetic code.
Telomere/Telomere Loss
Gr. Télos' Ende 'and' Télos' Teil '
A telomere is a cap that protects the end of the chromosome from wear and tear, comparable to the awl on the end of a shoelace or the burnt end of a rope to prevent fraying. As we age, telomeres erode to the point where the cell reaches the Hayflick limit. This is the point at which the cell sees the erosion as a break in DNA, stops dividing and becomes senescent.
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria are often referred to as the cell's powerhouse and break down nutrients to generate energy in a process called cellular respiration. They contain their own circular genome.
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