What are the different uses of elastin?

Key points to remember.

Elastin is a natural dermal protein that is responsible for skin elasticity.
In topical application, elastin promotes hydration, firmness and skin healing. It is suitable for daily use, without particular contraindication.
In oral supplementation, elastin is often combined with collagen to improve skin elasticity and hydration. Elastin cures (1 mg per day/30 to 90 days) do not present any particular contraindication, but we advise you to seek medical advice beforehand.

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Elastin, an active ingredient found in an increasing number of cosmetic skincare products.

Essential to the dermal structure, elastin is a protein that provides the skin with its elasticity and its ability to return to its shape after deformation. With age, its natural production declines, contributing to skin laxity. To counteract this decline, some cosmetics incorporate topical elastin, often in peptide form. Studies have indeed shown that it can enhance skin hydration, stimulate the production of endogenous collagen and elastin, and improve skin firmness. Other research has also highlighted its antioxidant potential. These various properties have led elastin to establish itself as a versatile active ingredient.

How can elastin be incorporated into a skincare regimen?

Elastin is renowned for its high biocompatibility and excellent cutaneous tolerance. Available clinical studies report no notable side effects, nor any irritation or photosensitisation. Therefore, this active ingredient can be used morning and evening, all year round, including by pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, it is important to adhere to the supplier’s guidelines: the frequency and method of application vary according to the product type (creams, serums, masks…) and the actives with which the elastin is combined.

One also attributes to elastin moisturising and softening properties for hair, but scientific evidence is still lacking to demonstrate that this ingredient provides any genuine benefits to hair. This is why the hair products formulated with elastin remain rare. They are mainly found in specific masks or treatments for the mid-lengths and ends, where they are believed to help soften and smooth the fibre. These products are applied after shampooing, on towel-dried hair, with a few minutes’ leave-in time before rinsing.

Oral elastin supplementation: what are the instructions for use?

Elastin is not used solely in the form of creams or serums: it can also be administered as an oral supplement. Often combined with collagen, elastin in the form of dietary supplements helps to hydrate the skin and preserve its firmness. Indeed, this combination was evaluated in a double-blind clinical trial involving 70 women. Over eight weeks, they received a daily beverage containing collagen and elastin peptides or a placebo beverage.

The results demonstrated significant improvements in skin hydration, insensible water loss, elasticity, as well as a reduction in wrinkles among women who received collagen and elastin, compared with the placebo group. The researchers also observed a 21.64% increase in dermal collagen content in the test group, which appears to confirm the value of this form of supplementation with collagen peptides and elastin peptides to preserve skin firmness and suppleness.

+ 39.19%

Skin hydration after eight weeks of supplementation with collagen and elastin.

- 33.45%

Insensible water loss after eight weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

+ 25.37%

Elasticity after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

- 18.09%

Wrinkles after 8 weeks of collagen and elastin supplementation.

Did you know? There are no foods that strictly contain elastin. However, a diet rich in antioxidants, particularly those found in green vegetables, red berries or citrus fruits, helps protect elastin fibres from oxidative stress and supports their synthesis.

How should elastin be administered orally?

In practical terms, oral elastin supplementation most commonly takes the form of powders, capsules, tablets or liquid beverages containing 500 mg of elastin peptides. Most suppliers recommend taking 1 g to 1.5 g of elastin per day for one to three months. No specific contraindications have been reported, although brands offering oral elastin generally advise pregnant women to seek medical advice before beginning supplementation. It is, moreover, a sensible precaution for anyone wishing to begin a course, pregnant or not, even though elastin is not a medicinal product.

Note : Unlike the hyaluronic acid, there are no elastin injections—only ampoules akin to single-dose serums.