Microbiome-Aging-Wrinkles Axis of Skin: Molecular Insights and Microbial Interventions

Skin aging is a complex biological process influenced by both intrinsic factors such as hormonal changes, genetic programming, and immunosenescence and extrinsic stressors including ultraviolet (UV) radiation (particularly UV-A and UV-B), pollution, and lifestyle habits. One of the most prominent manifestations of skin aging is wrinkle formation, which arises from the progressive degradation of key extracellular matrix (ECM) components like collagen and elastin. Emerging evidence highlights the skin microbiome as a critical, yet underappreciated, modulator of these structural changes. This review summarizes current understanding of how aging alters skin structure and microbial composition, and how these changes contribute to wrinkle development. Age-associated skin is characterized by reduced hydration, sebum production, and barrier integrity, accompanied by a shift in microbial communities. These microbial shifts promote local inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activation, and oxidative stress, all of which accelerate ECM degradation. We further discuss how commensal microbes and their bioactive products such as probiotics and postbiotics can counteract wrinkle formation. Clinical studies support the efficacy of strains such as Lactobacillus plantarum HY7714 and Bifidobacterium breve in improving skin elasticity and reducing wrinkle depth. Additionally, this review highlights the emerging role of microbiome-based interventions in skincare, including oral supplements, topical formulations, and postbiotic-enriched products. Overall, we emphasized the therapeutic potential of microbiome modulation as a novel strategy for maintaining skin health and preventing wrinkle formation during aging.