An overview of progress in the application of recombinant collagen in cosmetics

Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals. Based on the source, collagen can be categorized into human and non-human-derived collagen, while the recombinant collagen is divided into recombinant human collagen, recombinant humanized collagen, and recombinant collagen-like protein. In cosmetics or beauty products, collagen serves as an active ingredient in the care and beautification of face, body and hair. With advancements in science and technology, recombinant collagen is gaining more attention in the cosmetics industry. More specifically, recombinant collagen demonstrates excellent biocompatibility and cell adhesion. Along with promoting new cell formation and hemostasis, the stronger ability of recombinant collagen to promote epithelial cell growth has attracted attention towards its production based on genetic engineering techniques. Recombinant collagen is produced by genetic engineering or optimizing the gene sequence based on the characteristics and main functional regions of human collagen, using various host cells from, for example, transgenic mice, insects, transgenic silkworms, transgenic tobacco, E. coli , or yeast. The sources include microbial, animal, or plant recombinant expression systems. To better understand the research status of recombinant collagen, we searched and collated relevant material found in electronic databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). This article reviews the classification and characterization of recombinant collagen, as well as factors affecting its synthesis, focusing on the classification of recombinant collagen expression systems and the application of recombinant collagen in different cosmetic products, aiming to provide a basal reference source for the future development of recombinant collagen and lay the foundation for further research in the beauty industry.