Primary perspectives towards kimchi as a beauty food enhancing collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant enzymes in skin cells

Abstract Beauty food is a term referring to food that is believed to nourish the skin from within, thus improving physical appearance by promoting a healthy and youthful skin. Kimchi , a traditional Korean fermented food, is gaining recognition as a potential beauty food due to its rich composition of bioactive compounds, antioxidants, and probiotics. This study investigates the effects of kimchi extract (1% and 5%) on skin health at the cellular level using cultured human skin cells as an in vitro model. The antioxidant activity of kimchi extract was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC assays, demonstrating significant antioxidant potential, particularly on the 14th day of fermentation stage. Treatment of keratinocytes with kimchi extract resulted in the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and upregulation of key antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), which help protect skin cells against oxidative stress. Additionally, kimchi extract promoted the expression of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid in fibroblasts, thus supporting skin structure and hydration. Finally, kimchi extract protected keratinocytes from oxidative stress-induced cell death, suggesting its potential to maintain skin health and mitigate signs of aging. These findings provide the first molecular evidence of kimchi ’s potential as a beauty food, highlighting its role in enhancing skin resilience and appearance through dietary intervention.