OLAY announced in a March 27 press release that its new research, presented at the 2026 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, will focus on identifying cell adhesion as a key biological driver of visible skin aging.
These findings provide new insight into why some skin appears to age more slowly than others and reinforce OLAY's ongoing commitment to translating cutting-edge science into product innovation.
While traditional skin aging research has long focused on collagen, OLAY's latest work reveals that the way in which skin cells connect and communicate — known as cell adhesion — plays an essential role in maintaining skin strength and resilience.
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What OLAY discovered is that over time, a decline in cell adhesion and junction proteins contribute to visible signs of aging, including wrinkles, sagging, roughness and loss of radiance.
Through transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, OLAY researchers found that aging skin shows a significant reduction in cell adhesion-related proteins. In contrast, individuals identified as "exceptional skin agers" — those whose skin appears significantly younger than their chronological age — demonstrate elevated expression of genes associated with cell adhesion and barrier function. These findings suggest the groundbreaking insight that stronger cellular connections may be a defining factor in healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
Building on these findings, OLAY research further uncovered that peptide technologies, including its proprietary Triple Collagen Peptide, can help support cell adhesion pathways. In laboratory studies, peptide combinations were shown to upregulate genes associated with cell adhesion and improve markers of skin barrier integrity and cohesion.
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Complementary research from the brand also highlights the role of niacinamide in strengthening the skin surface and enhancing cell adhesion, reinforcing the importance of supporting skin structure at the cellular level.
"For decades, the conversation around skin aging has centered on collagen," said Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson, Principal Scientist at OLAY. "Our latest research shows that how skin cells connect — what we call cell adhesion — is just as critical. That insight is shaping how we innovate, including how we use technologies like our Triple Collagen Peptide to help support skin structure and improve visible signs of aging."
