What role does Transferrin play in skin aging?

Transferrin is an iron-transport protein that regulates iron availability in tissues. Excess iron can promote oxidative stress via the Fenton reaction, damaging collagen and elastin in the skin – a mechanism linked to premature skin aging (photoaging). Thus, altered transferrin levels could theoretically influence skin aging by disrupting iron homeostasis. However, the evidence is mostly mechanistic, derived from in vitro and animal studies. Robust human trials directly linking transferrin to skin aging are lacking. Moreover, consumer DNA tests rarely analyze transferrin specifically for skin aging; individual SNP effects are small and overshadowed by lifestyle factors (diet, sun protection). Supplementation or targeted diagnostics should not be undertaken without medical advice.