The invention relates to methods for preparing plant extracts having elastase inhibitory activity from a Myrsine africana plant and topical skin care compositions comprising such plant extracts. The invention further relates to plant extracts and compositions for use in cosmetic methods of inhibiting elastase activity in skin. The invention is also directed to the use of plant extracts from the plant Myrsine africana in methods of prevention or treatment of skin aging in a subject and methods of using the plant extracts from Myrsine africana.
