Skin Glycomics: Unmasking the Role of Glycation End Products in Cutaneous Aging and Dermatology

BACKGROUND: Skin aging is a multifactorial process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Beyond photoaging and oxidative stress, glycation and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are increasingly recognized as key drivers of cutaneous senescence. OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the role of glycation in skin aging, its clinical features, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies, with a focus on implications for aesthetic dermatology. METHODS: This narrative review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2010-February 2026). Search terms included "skin glycation," "advanced glycation end-products," "cutaneous aging," "RAGE," "skin autofluorescence," and "anti-glycation." Priority was given to human studies and dermatologic relevance. DISCUSSION: AGEs accumulate in dermal proteins such as collagen and elastin, inducing cross-links that reduce elasticity, increase stiffness, and impair tissue repair. AGE-RAGE signaling amplifies oxidative stress and inflammation, accelerating dermal degeneration. Clinically, glycation contributes to wrinkles, laxity, dyschromia, and impaired healing. Diagnostic tools such as skin autofluorescence (SAF) enable non-invasive assessment, though limitations remain across skin tones. Therapeutic approaches include lifestyle modification, topical and systemic agents, and energy-based devices, although robust clinical evidence remains limited. Emerging integration of imaging, biomarkers, and artificial intelligence may enable personalized anti-glycation strategies. CONCLUSION: Glycation represents a key yet underrecognized driver of cutaneous aging. Addressing glycation may enhance both aesthetic outcomes and long-term skin health, though further clinical validation is required.