Cited by 252Skin Protection and Agingmelanin and skin pigmentationDermatology and Skin Diseases

Defining skin aging and its risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Open access
Wong, Qi Yi Ambrose, Chew, Fook Tim·2021·Scientific Reports

Abstract

Skin aging has been defined to encompass both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, with extrinsic aging effected by environmental influences and overlaying the effects of chronological aging. The risk factors of skin aging have been studied previously, using methods of quantifying skin aging. However, these studies have yet to be reviewed. To better understand skin aging risk factors and collate the available data, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. We conducted our systematic review in compliance with Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched in October 2020 using specific search strategies. Where odds ratios were reported, meta-analyses were conducted using the random effects model. Otherwise, significant factors were reported in this review. We identified seven notable risk factors for various skin aging phenotypes: age, gender, ethnicity, air pollution, nutrition, smoking, sun exposure. This review's results will guide future works, such as those aiming to examine the interaction between genetic and environmental influences.

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  • Skin aging is a multifactorial biological process characterized by progressive alterations in skin structure, function, and appearance, including wrinkle formation, reduced hydration, impaired barrier integrity, and loss of elasticity.

    “Skin aging is a multifactorial biological process characterized by progressive alterations in skin structure, function, and appearance, including wrinkle formation, reduced hydration, impaired barrier integrity, and loss of elasticity [1,2].”

    From A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Assessing the Effects of Oral Centella asiatica Extract on Skin Aging-Related Parameters in Middle-Aged Korean Women. (2026) · cites this paper as [2]

    The Introduction and Results and discussion describe skin aging as continuous changes driven by intrinsic and extrinsic factors and identify wrinkling as a prominent sign. The Limitations and conclusion section discusses dryness, degradation of elastic fibres, and impaired cutaneous integrity, but it does not specifically establish reduced hydration, loss of elasticity, or impaired barrier integrity as the stated set of aging characteristics. It also cautions that the reviewed skin-aging phenotypes were not shown to cause functional impairment. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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Authors
Wong, Q. Y. A., & Chew, F. T.
Affiliations
National University of Singapore (SG)
Corresponding author
Chew, Fook Tim
Venue
Scientific Reports
Published
2021-11-11
Volume
11
Issue
1
Pages
22075-22075
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3213583402
Cited by
250
References
103
Citations by year
2026: 60 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 61 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 14
FWCI
5.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • National University of Singapore (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore (N-154-000-038-001)
  • Ministry of Education - Singapore (R-154-000-191-112)
  • Biomedical Research Council (BMRC/01/1/21/18/077)
  • Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN-06-006)
  • National Medical Research Council (NMRC/1150/2008)
  • Agency for Science, Technology and Research (H17/01/a0/008)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatology and Skin Diseases
Keywords
skin aging, intrinsic aging, extrinsic aging, chronological aging, risk factors, air pollution, nutrition, smoking, sun exposure, gender differences, ethnicity, age
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Humans, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Skin, Smoking, Ultraviolet Rays, Skin Aging

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