A framework of biomarkers for skin aging: a consensus statement by the Aging Biomarker Consortium

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and the first line of defense against the external environment. With the rapid growth of the older population in China, significant challenges have emerged in the prevention and management of age-associated diseases, while skin aging is closely associated with the aging of multiple organs. To address these challenges, the Aging Biomarker Consortium (ABC) has established an expert consensus on biomarkers of skin aging through a review of the literature and consultation with scientists and clinicians. This consensus provides a comprehensive evaluation of the key changes, characteristics, and biomarkers related to skin aging and proposes a systematic framework that categorizes these biomarkers into structural, functional, and humoral biomarkers. Within each dimension, the ABC recommends biomarkers supported by varying levels of clinical and experimental evidence for assessing both physiological and pathological changes in skin tissue during aging, aiming to establish a foundation for the prediction, diagnosis, early detection, and treatment of skin aging and related diseases, with the ultimate goal of improving skin tissue health and promoting healthy aging in elderly populations both in China and worldwide.