Advances in Directed Evolution Technology for Skincare Peptides

Peptide-based ingredients, renowned for their high biological activity and excellent skin compatibility, have become a key component in the market for functional skincare products. However, the application of natural peptides is often limited by poor stability, low transdermal absorption efficiency, and insufficient bioactivity. Directed evolution, as a powerful molecular engineering strategy, mimics natural evolutionary processes to deliberately modify peptide sequences and thereby optimize their performance. This review systematically outlines recent advances in directed evolution technologies for skincare peptides, covering fundamental principles, methodological innovations, practical applications, and future prospects. It highlights strategies for constructing mutant libraries, high-throughput screening techniques, and the use of bioinformatics prediction models in peptide engineering, along with successful cases where this technology has enhanced peptide stability, skin permeability, and biological activity. Finally, the review discusses current challenges and potential future trends in the field of peptide directed evolution.