This is the first study to investigate the anti-elastase, anti-collagenase and anti-hyaluronidase activity of C. glabrum, P. capensis, P. africanum and S. brachypetala. The free radical scavenging activity and enzyme inhibitory activity of the plant extracts suggests that they can help restore skin elasticity and thereby slow the wrinkling process. P. africanum was the plant with the most promising activity and will be subjected to further testing and isolation of the active compound/s.