Scientists at L’Oréal have discovered the gene expression of young and aged skin and responses to stress.
Molecular biology has provided a vision of ageing that is linked to cell metabolism and the structure of skin tissue. Young skin has a thicker epidermis, and a denser dermis with a wellorganised network of collagen and elastin fibres. The cells (keratinocytes) have a greater ability to renew and repair themselves. “Skinomics” tools stemming from genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics provide another vision of skin functions. In particular, transcriptomics and proteomics studies on reconstructed skin (Episkin) and in vivo have enabled L’Oréal researchers to publish and patent the gene expression and protein expression signatures of young and aged skin and their response to mechanical stress. These studies were conducted in collaboration with the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris and the CHU Laval in Quebec. Identified have been active ingredients that are able to modify the protein signature of aged skin, bringing it nearer to that of young skin.
