Skin longevity has shifted from a cosmetic goal to a scientifically grounded pursuit, propelled by advances in ageing biology and biotechnology.
This article integrates recent scientific findings, including the expanded hallmarks of ageing, with global industry trends present at this year’s in-cosmetics Global to update the understanding of skin longevity in 2025, after examining intrinsic and extrinsic ageing factors, cellular and molecular mechanisms, and innovations in active ingredients.
Emphasizing a shift from anti-ageing to healthy ageing and resilience, this review shows how targeting biological hallmarks can transform skincare toward sustainable skin health.
Biological foundations of skin aging
Skin ageing is a multifactorial process influenced by intrinsic (genetic, cellular, and molecular) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. Intrinsic ageing involves accumulating cellular damage and declining regenerative capacity, while extrinsic ageing stems mainly from UV radiation (photoaging), pollution, and oxidative stress.
The concept of skin longevity, prolonging skin health and function rather than merely reversing visible signs of ageing, has become a global trend in the cosmetics industry in 2025.
This paradigm shift aligns with advances in the biology of aging, particularly the identification and expansion of the “Hallmarks of aging”, which provide a mechanistic blueprint to target ageing at its roots. This article integrates new scientific findings and industry innovations, offering a holistic and biologically informed roadmap for next-gen skincare products.
From theory to skincare applications: Active ingredients lead the innovation wave
The Cosmetics industry’s momentum was showcased at in-cosmetics Global 2025, where the most promising longevity-focused innovations were recognized.
Solabia Group earned the Gold Award in the Innovation Zone for its green biotechnology-derived “pro-longevity” ingredient, which demonstrated strong scientific backing. The Spanish ingredient manufacturer, Vytrus Biotech followed with a Silver Award for a 100% natural active inspired by “Fasting for skin longevity”, designed to boost cellular repair and regeneration.
These groundbreaking developments illustrate how biotechnology and molecular biology, inspired by natural mechanisms, are setting a new standard in active ingredients designed for long-term skin health, targeting these hallmarks:
- Biotech-derived actives: Compounds inspired by natural longevity mechanisms, such as fasting-mimicking molecules, enhance repair and regeneration.
- Antioxidants and mitochondrial support: Ingredients reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial function.
- Senolytics and senomorphics: Emerging actives selectively eliminate or modulate senescent cells.
- Epigenetic modulators: Compounds restore youthful gene expression.
- Proteostasis enhancers: Molecules improve protein folding and degradation.
The expanded “Hallmarks of Ageing”
Advances in ageing research, particularly the “Hallmarks of Ageing”, significantly deepen our understanding of skin aging, identifying twelve interconnected hallmarks that define ageing at the molecular level.
The Hallmarks of ageing refer to biological changes that occur in our skin over time as we age:
- Genomic instability: DNA damage impairs cell function and promotes senescence.
- Telomere attrition: Telomere shortening limits cell replication.
- Epigenetic alterations: Dysregulated gene expression affects skin cell identity.
- Loss of proteostasis: Impaired protein folding and clearance disrupts cell health.
- Deregulated nutrient sensing: Altered metabolism affects skin cells.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction: Declining mitochondrial efficiency increases ROS and reduces energy.
- Cellular senescence: Senescent cells secrete inflammatory factors that accelerate aging.
- Stem cell exhaustion: Depletion of skin stem cells limits regeneration.
- Altered intercellular communication: Disrupted signaling impairs tissue homeostasis.
- Chronic inflammation (inflammaging): Persistent low-grade inflammation damages skin.
- Disabled macroautophagy: Reduced autophagy limits cellular renewal.
- Dysbiosis: Microbiome imbalance affects the skin barrier and immunity.
These interconnected hallmarks collectively undermine skin integrity and function. Each hallmark meets three criteria: it increases with normal ageing, experimental modulation affects ageing rates, and targeted intervention can slow or reverse age-related decline.
Recent research has expanded the universe of ageing hallmarks, providing a mechanistic blueprint for understanding and targeting the root causes of ageing at the cellular and tissue levels, and has expanded the list from 12 to 16, with four additional hallmarks:
- Mechanical ageing: This refers to the wear and tear the skin undergoes from repetitive facial movements, gravity, and loss of structural integrity over time, as collagen and elastin fibers degrade, the skin becomes less able to resist mechanical stress. This contributes to wrinkles, sagging, and a loss of firmness.
- Disruption of the Circadian rhythm: Disrupted rhythms (due to ageing, poor sleep, or night-shift work) can impair DNA repair, barrier function, and antioxidant defences, making skin more vulnerable to damage.
- Skin-brain axis: Stress, anxiety, and neurological ageing can affect skin inflammation, barrier function, and wound healing, and can accelerate skin ageing, showing how mental health and ageing are deeply connected.
- Extracellular Matrix degradation: Ageing leads to an imbalance between ECM synthesis and degradation, primarily driven by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are enzymes activated by UV exposure and oxidative stress.
Shifting the storytelling: From anti-ageing to pro-longevity
In 2025, skin longevity has emerged as the most influential trend shaping the cosmetics industry. With an increasing demand for science-backed, well-ageing solutions, active ingredient manufacturers are prioritizing longevity-focused innovations that address biological ageing at its roots.
These next-generation ingredients aim to slow down the ageing process by targeting cellular and molecular damage while protecting the skin from environmental aggressors such as UV radiation, pollution, blue light, and infrared radiation.
Marketing is moving from anti-ageing, implying reversal, to pro-ageing and pro-longevity claims, focusing on maintaining skin health and resilience. This approach embraces ageing as natural and emphasizes:
- Protection against environmental damage.
- Enhancing intrinsic repair and regeneration.
- Maintaining skin barrier integrity and microbiome balance.
- Supporting metabolic and immune homeostasis.
This holistic perspective meets consumer demand for sustainable, science-backed skincare promoting long-term well-being.
Future directions: Personalized and evidence-based products
The fusion of ageing biology and cosmetic science is redefining skin longevity as an achievable, science-based goal.
By targeting interconnected biological hallmarks with advanced biotechnologies is redefining what’s possible in skin longevity, and adopting healthy ageing narratives positions skincare to enhance appearance and sustain skin health and resilience.
This updated framework guides researchers, formulators, NPD, and marketers toward advancing skin longevity in 2025 and beyond.
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