In which products can elastin be found?

The elastin is a fibrous protein essential for skin suppleness and resilience. Present in high concentration in the dermis, it forms, with the collagen, a true support network that enables the skin to stretch and spring back into shape after being extended. The elastin is synthesised by fibroblasts, and its production peaks during childhood before gradually slowing with age, which contributes to the progressive loss of skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. Today, elastin is used in various cosmetic treatments, primarily those aimed at compensating for elastin loss in the skin or stimulating its production. Most often, the elastin is incorporated in the form of peptides, which are more stable than the native protein.

• Moisturising creams with elastin.

  To be applied to the face and neck, moisturising creams containing elastin are used to maintain hydration levels in the stratum corneum and to slow the onset of signs of ageing. Indeed, several studies in vitro, but also in vivo, have shown that topically applied elastin can act on wrinkles and skin laxity. Elastin-based moisturisers are therefore generally intended for mature skin, although they are also suitable for younger skin seeking to prevent skin ageing.

• Serums containing elastin.

  Serums enriched with elastin often target loss of firmness and the early signs of skin laxity. Their fluid texture promotes penetration and facilitates the action of elastin peptides. Used before the moisturiser, in the morning and/or evening, serums containing elastin help to diminish wrinkles and improve skin suppleness.

• Eye contours with elastin.

  The area of the eye contour, which is particularly thin and lacking in supportive fibres, greatly benefits from an elastin boost. Elastin incorporated into care for the eye contour helps to maintain the elasticity and tone of this region prone to fine lines. This type of product is applied morning and evening with gentle tapping to give the gaze a smoother, more rested appearance.

• Sun protection products containing elastin.

  Elastin-enriched sun protection formulations offer a dual action: they protect the skin against UV rays while preserving its suppleness. Elastin helps to compensate for the loss of elastic fibres induced by the photoageing, a phenomenon directly linked to repeated sun exposure. It should be noted that, to be effective, products with an SPF, whether or not they contain elastin, must be applied generously before any exposure and regularly reapplied to maintain the sun protection.

• Lip care treatments (masks, balms, etc.) enriched with elastin.

  It is not uncommon to find elastin in lip balms or in masks designed for this area because of its hydrating and tightening effects. By reinforcing the lip skin’s structure and enhancing moisture retention, elastin helps smooth fine vertical lines and prevent minor chapping. The lip balms can be used several times a day, while the masks are preferably applied in the evening as a thick layer to restore softer, better-hydrated lips by the next morning.

• Anti-stretch mark care utilising elastin.

  We occasionally come across elastin in anti-stretch-mark treatments, since the formation of these lines is linked to the breakage of collagen and elastin fibres in the dermis. The idea is therefore to support the skin's resilience by supplying elastin by topical application, often combined with collagen in these products. However, scientific studies on the efficacy of topical elastin in the prevention or reduction of stretch marks remain limited and inconclusive to date.

• Shampoos containing elastin.

  Some shampoos incorporate elastin in their formulation to support scalp hydration. No clinical study has yet specifically evaluated the effect of elastin applied to the scalp, but it is reasonable to assume that it contributes to maintaining its hydration, as it does for the rest of the skin. These shampoos are used like a shampoo classic: they are massaged into the wet scalp before being thoroughly rinsed.

• Conditioners and hair serums/oils enriched with elastin.

  Certain conditioners and hair serums or oils contain elastin, promoted for its presumed role in the flexibility and strength of hair fibres, by analogy with its function in the skin. According to the claims of these products, it would help to maintain hair elasticity and limit breakage. However, to date, no scientific study has confirmed these effects on hair.

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• DE CARVALHO C. M. & al. Elastin structure and its involvement in skin photoageing. International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2016).

• CHILKOTI A. & al. Elastin-like polypeptides for biomedical applications. Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering (2020).

• DANIELS R. & al. Clinical relevance of elastin in the structure and function of skin. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (2021).

• GUO C. & al. Applications of elastin in cosmetics: Prospects and challenges. Cosmetics (2025).