What two proteins are critical for skin elasticity?

Collagen and elastin are critical proteins that contribute significantly to skin elasticity. Collagen provides structural support and strength to the skin, forming a framework that helps maintain its shape and integrity. It is the most abundant protein in the skin and plays a vital role in wound healing and overall skin resilience.

Elastin, on the other hand, is responsible for allowing the skin to stretch and return to its original shape, which is essential for maintaining elasticity. This protein enables the skin to withstand mechanical stress and contribute to its pliability and firmness. When both collagen and elastin are present in healthy amounts, they work together to give the skin its flexibility and ability to resist sagging.

While other proteins listed, such as keratin and fibronectin, have important roles in skin structure and function (keratin provides protection and structure to epithelial cells, and fibronectin is involved in cell adhesion and movement), they do not specifically address the elasticity of the skin in the same way that collagen and elastin do. Actin and myosin are primarily associated with muscle contraction, not skin structure. Gelatin and fibrin are derivatives or components of other processes related to skin repair and clotting but are not integral to maintaining skin elasticity.