Elastin is the primary component responsible for skin elasticity.
Elastin is a protein found in the dermis, the middle layer of the skin, and is crucial for allowing the skin to stretch and return to its original shape. It works in conjunction with collagen, another protein, to provide the skin with its overall structure, resilience, and suppleness. While collagen provides the skin with its firmness and strength, elastin provides the snap-back quality that prevents sagging and wrinkling. Think of elastin as the "rubber band" of the skin, allowing it to recoil after being stretched. The amount of elastin in the skin decreases with age and exposure to environmental factors like UV radiation, contributing to the loss of elasticity and the formation of wrinkles.
