Dietary Phytochemicals Targeting NRF2 Against Skin Cellular Senescence: Mechanistic Insights and Potential for Functional Food Development

Skin aging is driven largely by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, processes closely linked to cellular senescence and declining NRF2 activity. Numerous dietary phytochemicals-such as curcumin (from turmeric), resveratrol (from grapes), sulforaphane (from cruciferous vegetables), zerumbone, and salvianolic acid B-abundant in fruits, vegetables, herbs, and traditional food sources, exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review systematically elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which these compounds mitigate skin aging, primarily through modulating the NRF2 signaling pathway. We further integrate insights from clinical trials of NRF2-targeting agents to inform the translational potential of these dietary bioactives. Molecular docking analyses confirm that these food-derived compounds interact directly with the KEAP1-NRF2 complex, promoting NRF2 activation. Transcriptomic analyses of skin-related datasets (GSE35160, GSE71910, GSE185129) further validate the downregulation of key NRF2-regulated cytoprotective genes (e.g., FTH1, FTL, HMOX1, SLC7A11) involved in antioxidant defense and the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Based on this mechanistic foundation, we discuss the translational potential of these food-derived bioactives and the rationale for their future incorporation into skin-health-promoting nutraceuticals. We highlight how these food-derived phenolics and other bioactives may be incorporated into functional foods or nutraceuticals to support skin health from within, offering a dietary strategy to delay aging. We acknowledge that key translational challenges, such as oral bioavailability and optimal formulation, require further investigation. Further research is warranted to bridge these mechanistic insights into effective human applications.