The Protective and Regenerative Potential of Lactoferrin in Hair and Skin Health

Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring bioactive glycoprotein that is part of the body's innate immune system and has essential roles in iron metabolism, microbial defense, inflammation regulation, and tissue repair. It supports the natural regulation of iron bioavailability in skin and hair follicles, helping to reduce excess free-iron-driven oxidative stress while preserving levels of necessary iron for cellular functions. Lactoferrin promotes cell regeneration by increasing proliferation across in vitro systems, stimulating wound healing in scratch assays, and boosting matrix production in fibroblast models. Lactoferrin can also modulate inflammatory signaling involved in skin and hair physiology by providing balanced cytokine suppression, suggesting potential value in cosmetic or dermatological applications. Here, we present the first focused summary of lactoferrin's role specifically in skin and hair biology, distinguished from prior reviews in systemic or multi-system broad health contexts. We link mechanistic insights with clinical and preclinical evidence and uniquely map molecular functions to dermatologic and trichologic outcomes. We also provide an overview of clinical skin studies that have explored lactoferrin as a supportive agent in conditions such as acne, and highlight that, despite mechanistic plausibility, there are no existing available reports of well-controlled human clinical trials leveraging lactoferrin for hair-focused outcomes. In summary, we propose lactoferrin as not just an anti-inflammatory molecule, but also as a microenvironment stabilizer, and particularly relevant for hair and skin support as an alternative to pharmacological interventions. By addressing both established and underexplored applications, this review provides a translational framework for clinical development and provides a comprehensive rationale behind leveraging lactoferrin for hair and skin epithelial health.