Abstract:
Skin aging is a complex biological process characterized by the progressive collapse of skin ecosystem homeostasis, driven by the synergistic interaction between intrinsic physiological decline and extrinsic environmental stressors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its holistic regulatory approach and multi-dimensional, synergistic intervention strategies, is increasingly recognized for its significant potential in combating skin aging. Adopting the perspective of a dynamic “aging microenvironment”, this paper systematically analyzes the multi-dimensional regulatory mechanisms of aging, including intercellular communication, the vasculature, the skin microbiome, mechanical signaling, epigenetic remodeling, and the neuro-endocrine axis. It elucidates the inevitable shift in anti-aging strategies from “single-component targeting” to “systemic ecological regulation”. Particular emphasis is placed on the systems biology basis of TCM’s “multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway” characteristics, specifically exploring the unique mechanisms and application potential of “TCM dark matter” (such as plant-derived small nucleic acids), TCM-derived postbiotics, and the concept of “medicinal and edible homology” in systemically remodeling the skin aging microenvironment. Finally, the paper discusses future trends involving the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence and single-cell sequencing, with TCM and Western medical theories, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for developing next-generation, multi-target, systemic, and intelligent anti-aging systems.