Nature’s Most Potent Anti-Aging Secret

The Quiet Cause of Wrinkles — and the Plant Allies That Fight Back

While most know that protecting the skin against UV exposure, hydration, proper skincare, and eating a colorful diet rich in antioxidants can help to stave off wrinkles as we age, many are unaware of the role of elastase and collagenase in undermining the structural integrity of the skin over time. Thankfully, there are plant-based inhibitors that help to prevent the overactivation and subsequent damage of these naturally produced compounds, so that you can effortlessly turn back the hands of time.

The Enzymes That Age Your Skin

Both elastase and collagenase are enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the structural proteins of the skin: elastin and collagen. Elastin is what gives your skin flexibility and elastic bounce-back qualities, while collagen gives your skin structure and tightness. Typically, elastase and collagenase are kept in check and don’t unduly undermine your skin, but factors like UV exposure, growing older, and menopause can lead to their overactivation and accelerate the loss of skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. This is where anti-elastase and anti-collagenase plant extracts can slow down the process, both topically and internally. Let’s take a look at the most potent and effective examples.

Natural Inhibitors

A range of plant extracts have been found to inhibit not only the effects of elastase and collagenase on the skin, but help to prevent their overactivation in the first place. Not surprisingly, plants that exhibit strong antioxidant activity with high phenolic and flavonoid levels were found to be the most noteworthy. A study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine investigated 23 plant extracts to determine their inhibition properties.¹

Those with the highest anti-elastase activities include white tea (~89%), cleavers (~58%), burdock root (~51%), bladderwrack (~50%), and anise and angelica (~32%). The extracts most effective against collagenase were seen in white tea (~87%), green tea (~47%), rose tincture (~41%), and lavender (~31%).

Another plant of interest is elderberry. Several studies have shown that the extract is high in the antioxidant anthocyanin, which has potent anti-aging effects — leading researchers to note that “[a]n elderberry [Sambucus nigra] ethanolic extract and an extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction demonstrated strong inhibitory effects on collagenase and elastase.”^3,4,5 While via a different mechanism, findings published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences discovered that elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) significantly reduced aging effects both in vivo and in vitro by targeting mitochondrial function.²

If you would like a concentrated, no sugar added extract to fortify your skin from the inside out, see my potent Elderberry Tincture in my apothecary.

Best Practices for Radiant Skin

In addition to curbing the damaging effects of elastase and collagenase, your daily habits can play a significant role in slowing down skin aging. Follow the post links below from my Secret to Beautiful Skin Series to dive more deeply into holistic skin care.

Face yoga offers a simple, time-honored way to support firmer, healthier-looking skin without complicated routines or expensive treatments. By combining gentle facial exercises, stretching, and massage, this practice boosts circulation, eases tension, and encourages better posture and lymphatic flow — all of which can help soften lines, define features, and create a more lifted look. It also pairs beautifully with calming plant oils and nourishing skincare, making it a relaxing ritual that benefits both your complexion and overall well-being. With roots dating back thousands of years and plenty of modern variations to explore, face yoga is an approachable technique that can become a meaningful part of your daily self-care.

Next is diet and herbal remedies. When we nourish ourselves with antioxidant-rich whole foods, minerals, healthy fats, and gut-friendly fermented foods, our skin naturally reflects that care with better tone, firmness, and resilience. On the other hand, processed foods, alcohol, smoking, and environmental toxins can quickly dim your glow. Pairing a nutrient-rich diet with targeted herbal support — like resveratrol-rich plants, culinary herbs, and botanical blends designed to strengthen the gut — helps to build a foundation for radiance at any age.

Caring for your skin is also deeply connected to movement and sleep. Exercise boosts circulation, oxygenation, and cellular energy, which in turn supports collagen, elasticity, and a healthy glow. It also helps counteract stress, one of the biggest culprits behind inflammation and premature aging. At the same time, restorative sleep is when your skin repairs, replenishes, and builds new collagen, making it essential for a bright, refreshed complexion. If you need an extra level of support, see our Sleep Blend. It’s formulated with targeted, clinically-informed botanicals that calm spinning thoughts, soothe the nervous system, and encourage the production of GABA to help promote deep and rejuvenating sleep.

Herbal Face Food: The Ultimate Skincare Solution

Don’t forget about topical nourishment and protection for your skin. If you want to feed your skin with the best of nature and defy the aging process, you need to try Herbal Face Food — the cream and serum I swear by.

Herbal Face Food is not your ordinary skin care product. It is a unique blend of 100% natural and organic ingredients that are wild-harvested from rare and remote corners of the globe. No fillers, no chemicals, no nonsense. Just pure plant-powered goodness that works wonders for your skin.

The cream and serum are more than simply moisturizers. They are also antioxidant, antiviral, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. What’s more, these products are GMO-free, vegan, and ethically sourced, so you can feel good about what you put on your skin.

I have been using Herbal Face Food for several years now, and I can see and feel a noticiable difference. My skin is smoother, firmer, brighter, and more radiant. I started with The Serum I and The Cream, which are rich in healing and anti-aging extracts that rejuvenate your skin cells. I recently added their Eye Cream to my routine, and I love how it reduces the puffiness and dark circles around my eyes.

If you are looking for a long-lasting skin care product that delivers real results, look no further than Herbal Face Food. It is the ultimate skin care solution that you deserve.

If you would like to give Herbal Face Food a try, my readers will receive a generous 30% discount by using the code: “NicoleA30” at checkout. I hope you will love these products as much as I do!

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. Thring, T.S., Hili, P. & Naughton, D.P. Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plants. BMC Complement Altern Med 9, 27 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-9-27
2. Hu, Xiaoqing et al. “Anti-Aging Effects of Anthocyanin Extracts of Sambucus canadensis Caused by Targeting Mitochondrial-Induced Oxidative Stress.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,2 1528. 12 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms24021528
3. Mota, A.H.; Andrade, J.M.; Rodrigues, M.J.; Custódio, L.; Bronze, M.R.; Duarte, N.; Baby, A.; Rocha, J.; Gaspar, M.M.; Simões, S.; et al. Synchronous Insight of in Vitro and in Vivo Biological Activities of Sambucus nigra L. Extracts for Industrial Uses. Ind. Crops Prod. 2020, 154, 112709.
4. Mota, A.H.; Andrade, J.M.; Ntungwe, E.N.; Pereira, P.; Cebola, M.J.; Bernardo-Gil, M.G.; Molpeceres, J.; Rijo, P.; Viana, A.S.; Ascensão, L.; et al. Green Extraction of Sambucus nigra L. for Potential Application in Skin Nanocarriers. Green. Mater. 2020, 8, 181–193.
5. Wójciak, Magdalena et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Protective Effects of Water Extract and Bioferment from Sambucus nigra Fruit in LPS-Induced Human Skin Fibroblasts.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 24,12 10286. 17 Jun. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms241210286