Natural substances in the skin

"Natural substances in the skin" is not a specific molecule or therapeutic target but rather a broad term encompassing the various endogenous compounds that are naturally present within human skin. These include proteins such as collagen and elastin, lipids like ceramides, fatty acids, cholesterol, peptides, vitamins (such as C and E), minerals, antioxidants, melanin for pigmentation, water content for hydration, and other bioactive molecules[4][5][6][8]. These components collectively maintain the structural integrity of the skin barrier; regulate hydration; provide immune defense; support wound healing; protect against oxidative stress; contribute to pigmentation; and enable normal cell turnover[6][8]. The balance of these natural substances is essential for healthy skin function. Disruption or deficiency can lead to various dermatological conditions including dryness, inflammation (eczema/psoriasis), increased susceptibility to infection due to barrier breakdown, premature aging/wrinkles from loss of collagen/elastin or antioxidant depletion[1][3]. Many skincare products aim to replenish or mimic these natural constituents—such as using plant oils for hydration similar to sebum/fatty acids or applying topical antioxidants/vitamins. Because "natural substances in the skin" refers collectively to many different molecular entities rather than a single defined target like an enzyme or receptor—and because it lacks specificity—it is not considered a canonical therapeutic target. Therefore: **This entry is not suitable as a structured drug discovery target.** It should be replaced with specific molecular targets such as "Collagen type I," "Ceramide," "Melanin," etc., depending on context. If you need information about any particular endogenous molecule found in human skin—such as ceramides (for barrier function), collagen/elastin (for structure/elasticity), melanin (for pigmentation/protection), peptides/proteins involved in repair/regeneration—please specify so that detailed structured data can be provided.

Other names

Natural skin substancesEndogenous skin componentsSkin natural ingredientsIntrinsic skin molecules