The Mechanism of Action and Application Prospects of Cornus officinalis and its Active Components in Anti-Photoaging of the Skin

Skin photoaging is primarily caused by oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and degradation of the extracellular matrix induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, making it the main exogenous factor contributing to skin aging. C. officinalis is a natural plant whose active components, including flavonoids and polysaccharides, exhibit significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and signal pathway regulatory effects. This review summarises the mechanisms of action of C. officinalis and its active components in anti-photoaging, focusing on their ability to delay photoaging by inhibiting photoaging pathways, reducing collagen degradation, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), and regulating the expression of inflammatory factors. It also explores their application prospects in functional skincare products. Existing research indicates that C. officinalis and its active components can effectively mitigate the damage caused by photoaging, providing a theoretical basis for the development of natural anti-photoaging formulations.