Oct 10 / Star Khechara

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs): The Enzymes That Break Down Collagen

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes that degrade extracellular matrix components, including collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. They are essential for tissue remodelling but become harmful when overactivated by oxidative stress, UV exposure, or inflammation. Excess MMP activity, especially collagenase, breaks down skin structure and accelerates wrinkle formation. Dietary antioxidants such as vitamin C, polyphenols and EGCG from green tea help regulate MMP activity, maintaining collagen integrity and protecting skin from premature ageing.

References

  1. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8 etc) recruit neutrophils and activate secretion of Matrix Metalloproteins (MMPs) which break down Extracellular Matrix (hyaluonic acid, collagen and elastin)
  2. Zhuang, Yong, and John Lyga. "Inflammaging in Skin and Other Tissues - The Roles of Complement System and Macrophage." Inflammation & Allergy Drug Targets 13.3 (2014): 153-161.


Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are frequently oversimplified.

Without a systems-based framework, it is easy to focus on one mechanism (like collagen degradation) while missing the wider physiological context of inflammaging and oxidative load that actually drives skin outcomes.

Understanding how these enzymatic systems interact is what turns information into confident clinical decision-making.
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Star Khechara

Professional agehacker, author, speaker and founder of Skin Nutrition Institute
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Skincare formulator and beauty author turned skin-nutrition educator: Star distilled her 20+ years of skin-health knowledge into the world’s first international accredited skin-nutrition school to teach skin therapists, facialists, face yoga practitioners and estheticians how to help their clients feed the skin from within for cellular-level rejuvenation and vibrant beauty. 
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