Marine fish skin oligopeptides in combination with elastin peptides on skin hydration and wrinkle reduction

To evaluate the application potential of marine fish skin-derived oligopeptides (MFSO) in oral beauty products, and explore the improvement effects of their combination with bovine ligament elastin peptides (BLEP) on skin mosturization, anti-wrinkle and skin friming functions, we first assessed the efficacy of single components and combined formulations in terms of inhibition rate of tail area reduction (Moisturing effect) and improvement rate of caudal fin shrinkage (Anti-wrinkle effect). Subsequently, a 56-day self-controlled before-after human trial was conducted involving 30 healthy women aged 35−60 years, who received oral MFSO+BLEP daily, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin elasticity index R2, skin firmness index F4, and skin roughness-related parameters [Skin smoothness (SEsm), Skin scaliness (SEsc), Wrinkle volume (Volume), Wrinkle width (SEw), Skin texture entropy (Entropy)]. The zebrafish results showd that the combined MFSO+BLEP group was significantly superior to either single component in both moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects, with an inhibition rate of tail area reduction of 142% and an improvement rate of caudal fin wrinkling of 97.6% (p<0.001). In the human trial, after 56 d of intervention, F4 decreased significantly (p<0.05), and SEsm, SEsc, Volume, SEw, and Entropy were all significantly improved (p<0.01). TEWL significantly decreased on Day 28 (p<0.001), whereas skin hydration and R2 showed no significant changes. No adverse reactions were observed during the study. These results suggest that the combination of marine fish skin oligopeptides and elastin peptides improves skin barrier function, firmness, and roughness, with a favorable safety profile. This study provides a reference for the high-value utilization of marine fish skin resources and the development of related functional products.