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Peer-reviewedCC BYThe EMBO Journal

Skin aging: mechanisms, evaluation, and rejuvenation

  • Runhan Li1
  • Jingyun Zhang2
  • Kehang Mao3,1
  • Dawei Meng1
  • Jing-Dong J Han4,5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Center for Quantitative Biology (CQB), Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
  2. 2Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
  3. 3Peking University Chengdu Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Biotechnologies, Chengdu, China
  4. 4Peking University Chengdu Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Biotechnologies, Chengdu, China. [email protected]
  5. 5Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Center for Quantitative Biology (CQB), Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. [email protected]
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Abstract

Skin aging, the most visible and accessible manifestation of organismal aging, reflects systemic physiological decline, compromising barrier integrity, immune defense, and regenerative capacity-functions essential for overall tissue homeostasis and longevity. Understanding why and how the skin ages offers crucial insights into tissue homeostasis and systemic aging. Here, we dissect the multi-layered mechanisms of skin aging across the epidermis, dermis, and appendages, highlighting how intrinsic cellular senescence, disrupted inter-compartmental communication, and dysregulation of the skin microbiome and hormonal signaling collectively undermine epithelial structure and function. We also summarize advances in quantitative evaluation of skin aging, from molecular signatures to morphological, microbial, and phenotypic indices, enabling objective assessment of biological age and intervention efficacy. Finally, we highlight rejuvenation strategies, encompassing rewiring of gene expression programs, metabolic modulation, microenvironmental remodeling, microbiome modulation, and hormone regulation, offering a framework for precision interventions and next-generation regenerative therapies.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026skin,
  title = {{Skin aging: mechanisms, evaluation, and rejuvenation}},
  author = {Runhan Li and Jingyun Zhang and Kehang Mao and Dawei Meng and Jing-Dong J Han},
  journal = {The EMBO Journal},
  year = {2026},
  month = may,
  doi = {10.1038/s44318-026-00810-3},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00810-3},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Skin aging: mechanisms, evaluation, and rejuvenation
AU  - Runhan Li
AU  - Jingyun Zhang
AU  - Kehang Mao
AU  - Dawei Meng
AU  - Jing-Dong J Han
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/21
JO  - The EMBO Journal
DO  - 10.1038/s44318-026-00810-3
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-026-00810-3
AB  - Skin aging, the most visible and accessible manifestation of organismal aging, reflects systemic physiological decline, compromising barrier integrity, immune defense, and regenerative capacity-functions essential for overall tissue homeostasis and longevity. Understanding why and how the skin ages offers crucial insights into tissue homeostasis and systemic aging. Here, we dissect the multi-layered mechanisms of skin aging across the epidermis, dermis, and appendages, highlighting how intrinsic cellular senescence, disrupted inter-compartmental communication, and dysregulation of the skin microbiome and hormonal signaling collectively undermine epithelial structure and function. We also summarize advances in quantitative evaluation of skin aging, from molecular signatures to morphological, microbial, and phenotypic indices, enabling objective assessment of biological age and intervention efficacy. Finally, we highlight rejuvenation strategies, encompassing rewiring of gene expression programs, metabolic modulation, microenvironmental remodeling, microbiome modulation, and hormone regulation, offering a framework for precision interventions and next-generation regenerative therapies.
SN  - 0261-4189
SN  - 1460-2075
ER  -