Unbiased Proteomic Approach Reveals Rejuvenation-Associated Effects of Quinoa Bioester on Skin

We investigated the effects of a quinoa bioester in topical formulations on skin aging. Sixty-one female participants, one for each age between 20 and 80 years, with Fitzpatrick skin types IV or lower, underwent a 30-day treatment on the volar forearm. Skin samples were collected before and after treatment and subjected to proteomic analysis. Paired comparisons revealed an increased abundance of key proteins associated with skin health in the quinoa bioester-treated forearms; notable examples include desmoglein-1, desmocollin-1, and filaggrin which are linked to skin barrier function, antioxidative defense, and cellular turnover. To further assess the impact of quinoa bioester on skin aging, we developed a predictive model using Support Vector Regression based on the full proteomic profiles of the untreated forearms aiming to estimate the relative biological ages after treatments. Our model inferred the quinoa bioester-treated forearms as having a proteomic profile of a younger age compared to placebo-treated counterparts. Taken together, our results suggest that quinoa bioester contributes to skin health and offers potential for applications in anti-aging skincare treatments.