Senescent cells are cells that have stopped multiplying, but instead of dying off when they should, they remain within the skin releasing inflammatory chemicals. These chemicals result in the breakdown of structural proteins in the skin (such as collagen and elastin), leading to wrinkle formation and loss of elasticity.

Certain polyphenols, including quercetinii and those from plants such as milk thistleiii, have senolytic activity - they are able to reduce the occurrence of cellular senescence, and seek out and kill pre-existing senescent cells.