Abstract:

Among the changes of skin with age, skin aging is one of the most obvious evidence. During this process, the epidermis gradually becomes thinner, and its self-repairing capability is gradually weakened. In addition, the amounts of collagen and elastin in the skin gradually reduce, and thus the skin loses elasticity. Skin aging is inevitable, but a varity of anti-aging strategies can be adopted. Herein, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors leading to skin aging have been introduced, as well as some skin anti-aging strategies. Some of plant extracts can exhibit skin anti-aging effects via multiple ways, such as preventing skin photoaging by sun-screening ingredients, inhibiting skin aging by various bioactive components, and reducing skin wrinkles and pigment spots by skin peeling which activates the proliferation and metabolism of keratinocytes. The anti-aging skincare ingredients from plants have been introduced, including polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins and carotenoids which promote the biosynthesis （or inhibit the degradation） of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Plant hydroxy acids used for skin peeling have also be introduced. The description of the anti-aging skincare ingredients from plants may provide a reference for the application of plant extracts in anti-aging cosmetics.

Key words: plant extract, anti-aging, sunscreen, antioxidant, skin peel, cosmetics