A Cosmetic Formulation Containing Hydrolyzed Fish Skin Extract Enhances Procollagen Production and Improves Wrinkle Appearance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Clinical Trial

Skin aging is characterized by decreased collagen synthesis and increased extracellular matrix degradation, leading to wrinkle formation and reduced skin elasticity. This study evaluated the anti-aging potential of hydrolyzed fish skin (HFS) extract through complementary in vitro and clinical investigations. In human dermal fibroblasts, treatment with HFS extract enhanced type I procollagen production and suppressed UVB-induced matrix-degrading enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and elastase, suggesting a mechanism that supports dermal matrix homeostasis. A randomized, double-blind, split-face clinical trial was conducted in 20 female participants over 12 weeks. A formulation containing 0.5% HFS extract was applied to one side of the face, while an identical vehicle control formulation without HFS extract was applied to the contralateral side. Wrinkle parameters were assessed using a three-dimensional imaging system. After 12 weeks, the test group showed significant improvements compared to baseline, with reductions of 12.75% in arithmetic mean roughness (Ra), 12.46% in root mean square roughness (Rq), and 11.32% in maximum wrinkle height (Rmax) (p < 0.05). No adverse events were observed. These findings demonstrate that HFS extract improves wrinkle-related skin parameters, potentially through promoting collagen synthesis while inhibiting matrix degradation. The combined molecular and clinical evidence supports its application as a functional cosmetic ingredient in anti-aging formulations.