Is elastin effective at reducing stretch marks?

The key point to remember.

Some studies in vitro show that elastin can stimulate fibroblasts and promote the production of new collagen and elastin fibres, but these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to topical application, as elastin’s ability to penetrate the skin remains uncertain.
Two clinical studies have observed a reduction in the risk of stretch mark formation with creams containing elastin, although these formulations also included other active ingredients (vitamin E, Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid…).
The available scientific evidence is limited, and the efficacy of elastin on stretch marks has not yet been fully demonstrated.

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What are the effects of elastin on stretch marks?

The stretch marks, known scientifically as striae distensae, are common skin lesions that appear when the skin undergoes too rapid stretching for its supporting structures to adapt. This phenomenon typically occurs during pregnancy, puberty or after significant weight gain or loss. The stretch marks arise more specifically from a rupture of the collagen and elastin fibres present in the dermis and providing structural support to the skin. Initially, the stretch marks appear as red or purplish streaks (inflammatory phase), then gradually fade to white (scarring phase). Although entirely benign, stretch marks are sometimes considered unsightly, and it is not uncommon to seek their removal.

Due to its role in the resilience of cutaneous tissues, elastin is frequently incorporated into creams targeting stretch marks.

Indeed, several studies in vitro have shown that the elastin, more precisely certain of its peptide fragments, could stimulate the production of new skin fibres. In one study using elastin peptides derived from bovine ligament, researchers observed a 25 to 30% increase in fibroblast proliferation and a marked stimulation of collagen and elastin fibre synthesis. These effects, mediated by the activation of elastin receptors, suggest that elastin peptides could reactivate dermal cell activity. This is particularly relevant for combating stretch marks, where the rupture of supporting fibres renders the skin less elastic.

> 100%

Increase in the production of new collagen fibres.

> 250%

Increase in the production of new elastin fibres.

However, it remains difficult to extrapolate these results for the stretch marks. Indeed, studies demonstrating elastin’s capacity to stimulate fibroblast activity were conducted in vitro, that is to say under conditions that do not fully replicate human skin. It remains unclear to what extent topical elastin or its fragments can penetrate the skin and reach the fibroblasts. However, some clinical studies have investigated the use of elastin in treatments intended to reduce stretch marks. These studies, summarised in the table below, suggest potential effects, but the protocols often exhibit methodological limitations (small sample sizes, multiple active ingredients in the creams, incomplete description of the formulation and the results obtained...) which complicate drawing definitive conclusions.

Study	Protocol	Results	Limitations
MALLOL & al. (1991)	Daily application by 80 pregnant women of a cream containing Centella asiatica, vitamin E and hydrolysed collagen and elastin, or of a placebo, from the third month of pregnancy until delivery.	34% of pregnant women in the treated group developed stretch marks, compared with 56% in the placebo group (a difference deemed significant by the researchers).	It is impossible to attribute the effects specifically to elastin (cream containing multiple active ingredients), the sample size is limited, and the evaluation of stretch mark severity is subjective.
WIERRANI & al. (1992)	Daily application by 25 pregnant women of a cream containing vitamin E, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, elastin and menthol, or a placebo, from the 20th week of pregnancy until delivery (25 women without treatment).	One third of pregnant women in the treatment group developed stretch marks, compared with two thirds in the control group (difference deemed significant by the researchers).	It is impossible to attribute the effects specifically to elastin (cream containing multiple active ingredients), the sample size is limited, and the evaluation of stretch mark severity is subjective.

Overview of clinical studies investigating the effects of elastin on stretch marks.

Thus, although some studies suggest a potential effect of elastin-containing creams in the prevention of stretch marks, the scientific evidence is still too limited.

The tested formulations always combined several ingredients (vitamin E, Centella asiatica, hyaluronic acid…), making it impossible to isolate the effect of elastin. Moreover, the number of participants was quite limited. Thus, despite the frequent presence of elastin in anti-stretch mark creams, it remains difficult to assert that it has any effect on the formation or reduction of stretch marks. Further clinical studies, focusing solely on elastin and involving a larger number of volunteers, would be necessary to confirm its efficacy.