The Impact of Environmental Factors on Skin and Tissue Ageing
Mechanisms, Effects, and Preventive Strategies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2025.79.58282Keywords
skin aging, oxidative stress, inflammation, antioxidants, environmental factorsAbstract
Introduction: Ageing is a natural biological process that affects every living being. With the passing of years, due to both internal and external factors, the skin's functions gradually weaken, and its regenerative processes slow down. This manifests as a decrease in elasticity, discoloration, and other visible signs of ageing. Factors such as sunlight, air pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, and physical activity play a crucial role in determining the rate of the ageing process.
The aim of the study: The aim of this article is to review the ageing process of the skin and other tissues, along with the impact of environmental factors. The paper focuses on mechanisms like oxidative stress, inflammation, and the decline in collagen and elastin production.
Material and Methods of Research: The literature was collected through searches in the PubMed, Google Scholar databases, and references from the initially retrieved articles with keywords including “skin aging” “environmental factors” and “oxidative stress”.
Conclusion:The ageing process encompasses structural and functional changes in the skin and other tissues, as well as alterations at the cellular and molecular levels. With advancing age, collagen and elastin production decreases, resulting in reduced elasticity, firmness, and resilience. Additionally, diminished bone and fat volume weakens structural support, leading to sagging skin and the development of fine wrinkles. The facial contour changes, and the wound-healing process becomes slower. Both genetic and environmental factors influence the ageing process. Environmental contributors such as UV radiation, air pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, and an unhealthy diet exacerbate oxidative stress, thereby accelerating skin ageing. Conversely, adopting a healthy lifestyle—including regular physical activity, a diet rich in antioxidants, and avoiding excessive sun exposure—can help mitigate these effects and slow the ageing process.
References
1. Fore J. A review of skin and the effects of aging on skin structure and function. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2006;52(9):24-37.
2. Dyer JM, Miller RA. Chronic Skin Fragility of Aging: Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis, Recognition, and Management of Dermatoporosis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):13-18.
3. Cotofana S, Fratila AA, Schenck TL, Redka-Swoboda W, Zilinsky I, Pavicic T. The Anatomy of the Aging Face: A Review. Facial Plast Surg. 2016;32(3):253-260. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1582234
4. McDaniel D, Farris P, Valacchi G. Atmospheric skin aging-Contributors and inhibitors. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(2):124-137. doi:10.1111/jocd.12518
5. Zeng JP, Bi B, Chen L, et al. Repeated exposure of mouse dermal fibroblasts at a sub-cytotoxic dose of UVB leads to premature senescence: a robust model of cellular photoaging. J Dermatol Sci. 2014;73(1):49-56. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2013.08.013
6. Dorf N, Maciejczyk M. Skin senescence-from basic research to clinical practice. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024;11:1484345. Published 2024 Oct 18. doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1484345
7. Lee DH, Oh JH, Chung JH. Glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan in skin aging. J Dermatol Sci. 2016;83(3):174-181. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.05.016
8. Kaya G, Saurat JH. Dermatoporosis: a chronic cutaneous insufficiency/fragility syndrome. Clinicopathological features, mechanisms, prevention and potential treatments. Dermatology. 2007;215(4):284-294. doi:10.1159/000107621
9. Skiveren J, Wahlers B, Bermark S. Prevalence of skin tears in the extremities among elderly residents at a nursing home in Denmark. J Wound Care. 2017;26(Sup2):S32-S36. doi:10.12968/jowc.2017.26.Sup2.S32
10. Armenta AM, Henkel ED, Ahmed AM. Pigmentation Disorders in the Elderly. Drugs Aging. 2019;36(3):235-245. doi:10.1007/s40266-018-00633-w
11. Li WH, Pappas A, Zhang L, Ruvolo E, Cavender D. IL-11, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α are induced by solar radiation in vitro and may be involved in facial subcutaneous fat loss in vivo. J Dermatol Sci. 2013;71(1):58-66. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2013.03.009
12. Wollina U, Wetzker R, Abdel-Naser MB, Kruglikov IL. Role of adipose tissue in facial aging. Clin Interv Aging. 2017;12:2069-2076. Published 2017 Dec 6. doi:10.2147/CIA.S151599
13. Gerth DJ. Structural and volumetric changes in the aging face. Facial Plast Surg. 2015;31(1):3-9. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1544252
14. DeFatta RJ, Williams EF 3rd. Evolution of midface rejuvenation. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2009;11(1):6-12. doi:10.1001/archfaci.11.1.6
15. Swift A, Liew S, Weinkle S, Garcia JK, Silberberg MB. The Facial Aging Process From the "Inside Out". Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(10):1107-1119. doi:10.1093/asj/sjaa339
16. Gustafsson T, Ulfhake B. Aging Skeletal Muscles: What Are the Mechanisms of Age-Related Loss of Strength and Muscle Mass, and Can We Impede Its Development and Progression?. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(20):10932. Published 2024 Oct 11. doi:10.3390/ijms252010932
17. Mendelson B, Wong CH. Changes in the facial skeleton with aging: implications and clinical applications in facial rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36(4):753-760. doi:10.1007/s00266-012-9904-3
18. Shaw RB Jr, Kahn DM. Aging of the midface bony elements: a three-dimensional computed tomographic study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;119(2):675-683. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000246596.79795.a8
19. Quan C, Cho MK, Perry D, Quan T. Age-associated reduction of cell spreading induces mitochondrial DNA common deletion by oxidative stress in human skin dermal fibroblasts: implication for human skin connective tissue aging. J Biomed Sci. 2015;22(1):62. Published 2015 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/s12929-015-0167-6
20. Boccardi V, Marano L. Aging, Cancer, and Inflammation: The Telomerase Connection. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(15):8542. Published 2024 Aug 5. doi:10.3390/ijms25158542
21. Ashworth JL, Murphy G, Rock MJ, et al. Fibrillin degradation by matrix metalloproteinases: implications for connective tissue remodelling. Biochem J. 1999;340 ( Pt 1)(Pt 1):171-181.
22. Lephart ED. A review of the role of estrogen in dermal aging and facial attractiveness in women. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(3):282-288. doi:10.1111/jocd.12508
23. Papaccio F, D Arino A, Caputo S, Bellei B. Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging. Antioxidants (Basel). 2022;11(6):1121. Published 2022 Jun 6. doi:10.3390/antiox11061121
24. Nguyen HP, Katta R. Sugar Sag: Glycation and the Role of Diet in Aging Skin. Skin Therapy Lett. 2015;20(6):1-5.
25. Ghodsi R, Kheirouri S. Carnosine and advanced glycation end products: a systematic review. Amino Acids. 2018;50(9):1177-1186. doi:10.1007/s00726-018-2592-9
26. Lee HS, Kim WJ. The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase in Inflammation with a Focus on Infectious Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(18):10546. Published 2022 Sep 11. doi:10.3390/ijms231810546
27. Nagase H, Visse R, Murphy G. Structure and function of matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPs. Cardiovasc Res. 2006;69(3):562-573. doi:10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.12.002
28. Bickers DR, Athar M. Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of skin disease. J Invest Dermatol. 2006;126(12):2565-2575. doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700340
29. Kulms D, Schwarz T. Molecular mechanisms of UV-induced apoptosis. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2000;16(5):195-201. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0781.2000.160501.x
30. Fisher GJ, Kang S, Varani J, et al. Mechanisms of photoaging and chronological skin aging. Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(11):1462-1470. doi:10.1001/archderm.138.11.1462
31. Fisher GJ, Talwar HS, Lin J, Voorhees JJ. Molecular mechanisms of photoaging in human skin in vivo and their prevention by all-trans retinoic acid. Photochem Photobiol. 1999;69(2):154-157. doi:10.1562/0031-8655(1999)069<0154:mmopih>2.3.co;2
32. Schwarz T, Luger TA. Effect of UV irradiation on epidermal cell cytokine production. J Photochem Photobiol B. 1989;4(1):1-13. doi:10.1016/1011-1344(89)80097-1
33. Grimes PE. Management of hyperpigmentation in darker racial ethnic groups. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2009;28(2):77-85. doi:10.1016/j.sder.2009.04.001
34. Kollias N, Baqer A. An experimental study of the changes in pigmentation in human skin in vivo with visible and near infrared light. Photochem Photobiol. 1984;39(5):651-659. doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.1984.tb03905.x
35. Liebel F, Kaur S, Ruvolo E, Kollias N, Southall MD. Irradiation of skin with visible light induces reactive oxygen species and matrix-degrading enzymes. J Invest Dermatol. 2012;132(7):1901-1907. doi:10.1038/jid.2011.476
36. Cho S, Shin MH, Kim YK, et al. Effects of infrared radiation and heat on human skin aging in vivo. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2009;14(1):15-19. doi:10.1038/jidsymp.2009.7
37. Grether-Beck S, Marini A, Jaenicke T, Krutmann J. Photoprotection of human skin beyond ultraviolet radiation. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2014;30(2-3):167-174. doi:10.1111/phpp.12111
38. McDaniel DH, Weiss RA, Geronemus RG, Mazur C, Wilson S, Weiss MA. Varying ratios of wavelengths in dual wavelength LED photomodulation alters gene expression profiles in human skin fibroblasts. Lasers Surg Med. 2010;42(6):540-545. doi:10.1002/lsm.20947
39. Barolet D, Christiaens F, Hamblin MR. Infrared and skin: Friend or foe. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2016;155:78-85. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2015.12.014
40. Doche C, Dufour G, Foret G, et al. Summertime tropospheric-ozone variability over the Mediterranean basin observed with IASI. Atmos Chem Phys. 2014;14:10589-10600. doi:10.5194/acp-14-10589-2014
41. Packer L, Valacchi G. Antioxidants and the response of skin to oxidative stress: vitamin E as a key indicator. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2002;15(5):282-290. doi:10.1159/000064531
42. Valacchi G, Sticozzi C, Belmonte G, et al. Vitamin C Compound Mixtures Prevent Ozone-Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Keratinocytes as Initial Assessment of Pollution Protection. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0131097. Published 2015 Aug 13. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131097
43. Qiao L, Cai J, Wang H, et al. PM2.5 constituents and hospital emergency-room visits in Shanghai, China. Environ Sci Technol. 2014;48(17):10406-10414. doi:10.1021/es501305k
44. Nakamura M, Morita A, Seité S, Haarmann-Stemmann T, Grether-Beck S, Krutmann J. Environment-induced lentigines: formation of solar lentigines beyond ultraviolet radiation. Exp Dermatol. 2015;24(6):407-411. doi:10.1111/exd.12690
45. Magnani ND, Muresan XM, Belmonte G, et al. Skin Damage Mechanisms Related to Airborne Particulate Matter Exposure. Toxicol Sci. 2016;149(1):227-236. doi:10.1093/toxsci/kfv230
46. Li Y, Hecht SS. Carcinogenic components of tobacco and tobacco smoke: A 2022 update. Food Chem Toxicol. 2022;165:113179. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2022.113179
47. Yin L, Morita A, Tsuji T. Skin aging induced by ultraviolet exposure and tobacco smoking: evidence from epidemiological and molecular studies. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2001;17(4):178-183. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0781.2001.170407.x
48. Burke KE. Mechanisms of aging and development-A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants. Mech Ageing Dev. 2018;172:123-130. doi:10.1016/j.mad.2017.12.003
49. Knuutinen A, Kokkonen N, Risteli J, et al. Smoking affects collagen synthesis and extracellular matrix turnover in human skin. Br J Dermatol. 2002;146(4):588-594. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04694.x
50. Arct J, Wrońska L, Pytkowska K. Effect of tobacco smoke on the skin. J Cosmet Sci. 2018;20:20-24.
51. Hammer TR, Fischer K, Mueller M, Hoefer D. Effects of cigarette smoke residues from textiles on fibroblasts, neurocytes and zebrafish embryos and nicotine permeation through human skin. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2011;214(5):384-391. doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2011.04.007
52. Seitz CM, Strack RW, Wyrick DL. Cigarette Smoking and Facial Wrinkles: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Smoking Cessation. 2012;7(1):18-24. doi:10.1017/jsc.2012.8
53. Doshi DN, Hanneman KK, Cooper KD. Smoking and skin aging in identical twins. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(12):1543-1546. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.12.1543
54. Ortiz A, Grando SA. Smoking and the skin. Int J Dermatol. 2012;51(3):250-262. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05205.x
55. Trüeb RM. Association between smoking and hair loss: another opportunity for health education against smoking?. Dermatology. 2003;206(3):189-191. doi:10.1159/000068894
56. Goodman GD, Kaufman J, Day D, et al. Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(8):28-39.
57. Knaggs H, Lephart ED. Enhancing Skin Anti-Aging through Healthy Lifestyle Factors. Cosmetics. 2023; 10(5):142. doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics10050142
58. Higgins E, du Vivier A. Alcohol intake and other skin disorders. Clin Dermatol. 1999;17(4):437-441. doi:10.1016/s0738-081x(99)00038-3
59. Salete-Granado D, Carbonell C, Puertas-Miranda D, et al. Autophagy, Oxidative Stress, and Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Potential Clinical Applications. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(7):1425. Published 2023 Jul 14. doi:10.3390/antiox12071425
60. Darvin ME, Sterry W, Lademann J, Patzelt A. Alcohol consumption decreases the protection efficiency of the antioxidant network and increases the risk of sunburn in human skin. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2013;26(1):45-51. doi:10.1159/000343908
61. Yeh C, Flatley E, Elkattawy O, Berger L, Rao B. Exercise in dermatology: Exercise's influence on skin aging, skin cancer, psoriasis, venous ulcers, and androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022;87(1):183-184. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2021.07.023
62. Souyoul SA, Saussy KP, Lupo MP. Nutraceuticals: A Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2018;8(1):5-16. doi:10.1007/s13555-018-0221-x
63. Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C. Diet and Skin Aging-From the Perspective of Food Nutrition. Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. Published 2020 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu12030870
64. Kalra EK. Nutraceutical--definition and introduction. AAPS PharmSci. 2003;5(3):E25. doi:10.1208/ps050325
65. Wu X, Cheng J, Wang X. Dietary Antioxidants: Potential Anticancer Agents. Nutr Cancer. 2017;69(4):521-533. doi:10.1080/01635581.2017.1299872
66. McArdle F, Rhodes LE, Parslew R, Jack CI, Friedmann PS, Jackson MJ. UVR-induced oxidative stress in human skin in vivo: effects of oral vitamin C supplementation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2002;33(10):1355-1362. doi:10.1016/s0891-5849(02)01042-0
67. Kang S, Chung JH, Lee JH, et al. Topical N-acetyl cysteine and genistein prevent ultraviolet-light-induced signaling that leads to photoaging in human skin in vivo. J Invest Dermatol. 2003;120(5):835-841. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1747.2003.12122.x
68. Pal HC, Hunt KM, Diamond A, Elmets CA, Afaq F. Phytochemicals for the Management of Melanoma [published correction appears in Mini Rev Med Chem. 2017;17(15):1500. doi: 10.2174/138955751715170907095822]. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2016;16(12):953-979. doi:10.2174/1389557516666160211120157
69. Perrone D, Ardito F, Giannatempo G, et al. Biological and therapeutic activities, and anticancer properties of curcumin. Exp Ther Med. 2015;10(5):1615-1623. doi:10.3892/etm.2015.2749
70. McCusker MM, Grant-Kels JM. Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28(4):440-451. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.020
71. Kendall AC, Kiezel-Tsugunova M, Brownbridge LC, Harwood JL, Nicolaou A. Lipid functions in skin: Differential effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cutaneous ceramides, in a human skin organ culture model. Biochim Biophys Acta Biomembr. 2017;1859(9 Pt B):1679-1689. doi:10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.03.016
72. Yeowell HN, Marshall MK, Walker LC, Ha V, Pinnell SR. Regulation of lysyl oxidase mRNA in dermal fibroblasts from normal donors and patients with inherited connective tissue disorders. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1994;308(1):299-305. doi:10.1006/abbi.1994.1042
73. Driscoll MS, Kwon EK, Skupsky H, Kwon SY, Grant-Kels JM. Nutrition and the deleterious side effects of nutritional supplements. Clin Dermatol. 2010;28(4):371-379. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.023
74. Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Contribution of selected vitamins and trace elements to immune function. Ann Nutr Metab. 2007;51(4):301-323. doi:10.1159/000107673
75. Ogawa Y, Kawamura T, Shimada S. Zinc and skin biology. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2016;611:113-119. doi:10.1016/j.abb.2016.06.003
76. D'Orazio J, Jarrett S, Amaro-Ortiz A, Scott T. UV radiation and the skin. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248. Published 2013 Jun 7. doi:10.3390/ijms140612222
77. Breakell T, Kowalski I, Foerster Y, Kramer R, Erdmann M, Berking C, Heppt MV. Ultraviolet Filters: Dissecting Current Facts and Myths. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024; 13(10):2986. doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102986
78. Kuritzky LA, Beecker J. Sunscreens. CMAJ. 2015;187(13):E419. doi:10.1503/cmaj.150258
79. Petersen B, Wulf HC. Application of sunscreen--theory and reality. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2014;30(2-3):96-101. doi:10.1111/phpp.12099
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Aleksandra Dorosz, Agnieszka Skoczeń, Michał Kulesza, Weronika Wawrzynów, Magdalena Maria Jakubowska, Adrian Kruk, Natalia Rutecka, Martyna Miłoś, Agata Kuśnierz-Gibała, Błażej Kaczmarek
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 201
Number of citations: 0
