Skin ageing, including the phenotypes of wrinkle formation, uneven skin tone and loss of elasticity, results from the progressive loss of cellular function. A key determinant in this process is the mitochondria, as they generate cellular ATP bioenergy. Mitochondrial damage accumulates with age in skin cells, which is further accelerated by external factors such as sunlight and pollution in 21st century life.
This article explores the connection between the role of mitochondria in the ageing process, and how mitochondrial damage can be used as a reliable and tractable marker of skin ageing for monitoring skin health and the effectiveness of skin interventions.
The skin is the body’s first defence barrier to the external environment, and is the largest organ of the human body, accounting for 15% of total body weight.1,2 There are three distinct layers of the skin: the epidermis, dermis and…
