What is the term for the process of the skin retaining its stretch and/or elasticity?

The term that describes the skin's ability to retain its stretch and elasticity is hydration. Hydration is essential for maintaining the skin's moisture balance, which directly impacts its elasticity and flexibility. When skin is adequately hydrated, it can expand and contract without losing its shape, resulting in a healthy appearance.

While the other terms relate to different processes, they do not define the concept of skin elasticity. Secretion pertains to the release of substances by glands in the skin, absorption refers to the skin's ability to take in moisture or nutrients from external sources, and excretion involves the elimination of waste products from the body. All these processes play roles in skin health but do not specifically address the retention of stretch and elasticity, which is fundamentally linked to proper hydration.