Cellular and molecular regulation of skin by ginseng and its bioactive Constituents: A review of studies from 2021 to 2025

The skin functions as the first line of defense against external and internal stressors, containing pathogen invasion, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and the loss of collagen and hydrogen, all of which could finally cause skin damage and cellular senescence. Over time, a large plenty of strategies, including herb therapies, have been developed to protect skin health. Ginseng is a well-known traditional herbal medicine that has been widely applied in various diseases. In recent years, ginseng and its bioactive compounds attracted increasing attention in dermatological and cosmeceutical research because of their modulatory effects on inflammation, melanogenesis, skin barrier function, and skin regeneration. Five years ago, a paper summarized the skin-protective properties and mechanisms of Korean Red Ginseng in different types of skin cells. Since then, another lustrum has passed, during which some new functions and insights related to ginseng in skin have been reported. Therefore, this paper reviews studies published over the past five years that investigate the effects and mechanisms of ginseng-derived compounds in keratinocytes, melanocytes, and fibroblasts. Moreover, the corresponding animal models are organized and discussed. This review provides an updated and structured reference to support future phytopharmacological and cosmeceutical development of ginseng-based studies for skin health.