As we age, our skin undergoes various changes, leading to the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and uneven skin tone. The demand for anti-aging products has surged over the years, with serums becoming a popular choice for those seeking to maintain youthful skin. But what really works in these serums?
The effectiveness of anti-aging serums depends on whether their ingredients can scientifically intervene in the mechanisms of aging. The following analysis examines the scientific principles, component effects, and levels of evidence for different serum products.
The core of anti-aging serums lies in the intervention of their components in the mechanisms of aging. Aging involves processes such as decreased cellular energy, oxidative damage, and skin structural deterioration; effective serums need to target these processes. For example, autologous serum or PRP serum stimulates collagen and elastin production and promotes skin regeneration by extracting growth factors (such as PDGF, TGF-β, and EGF) from the patient's own blood. However, the evidence for this is largely based on clinical observations and lacks support from large-scale randomized controlled trials.12 The bioavailability of the ingredients and dosage form design (such as nanotechnology) also affect the efficacy; for example, high-purity NMN powder may improve absorption efficiency.
