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Epidermal growth factors, or EGFs, are making a serious name for themselves as one of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients on the market. Growth factors aim to combat things like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, under-eye circles, hyperpigmentation, even acne -- all at once. They also support the repair of damaged skin, help produce new collagen, boost elasticity, and help to keep your skin plump.
Epidermal growth factors seem to be everything you could ever want in an anti-ager. So are these sci-fi sounding ingredients really the fountain of youth? We’re breaking down everything you need to know about this powerful anti-aging ingredient in skincare below.
Epidermal growth factors are naturally occurring proteins that reside in human skin cells, helping to keep them plump. Specifically, they’re a chain of amino acids responsible for cell regeneration.
EGFs were discovered by two scientists who received a Nobel Prize for determining their function. That function is healing the skin. Growth factors are manufactured by all types of cells. And they float in-between these cells signaling pathways that lead to proliferation, differentiation, and survival.
In the skin, this includes the cells of the outermost epidermal layer and the deeper dermis. When these signaling proteins bind to receptors on cell surfaces, they can send commands to replicate, repair, and rejuvenate your skin.
As we age, our bodies’ natural production of growth factors slows, hindering the skin’s ability to repair itself. This results in less cell growth, and thinner, less supple skin. Around the same time our collagen production drops off and elastic fibers begin to stiffen producing wrinkles and sagging skin.
Epidermal growth factors help to restore all of the normal signals supporting healthy skin when we’re young. EGFs combat things like fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, dark circles under your eyes, hyperpigmentation, and even acne.
The epidermal growth factors in skincare products can be derived from a number of living things. EGFs can be extracted from plant, animal, or human cells that mimic the cells of where they’re being applied (or where they were cloned from).
Stem cells from any source can produce growth factors that give rise to a variety of different cell types in the body. Stem cells take cues from their surrounding tissue to become those types of cells. So if you put them on the skin, they help generate new skin cells. Epidermal growth factors can also be bioengineered in a lab.
We’ve already discussed how your epidermal growth factors naturally decrease with age. Here’s where using a skincare product with EFGs can help.
Applying a serum or creams with EGFs initiates the messaging between your skin surface cells and your collagen cells, essentially telling them to pump out more growth factors. This leads to faster cell turnover, triggering more collagen production below the surface.
The result is a significant improvement in fine lines and wrinkles for glowier, plumper, younger-looking skin.
Despite the buzz around EGFs, there’s a debate among dermatologists as to whether they can actually penetrate the skin deeply enough to be effective when applied topically. Some believe the molecules are too large to slip past the skin barrier. But EGF experts don’t dispute this.
Growth factor molecules from any source are too large to penetrate intact skin, and there is no convincingly proven technology that can increase the penetration. And, yet, topical growth factor studies show measurable increases in collagen and elastin, improvements in skin thickness, radiance, moisturization, pigmentation, and texture.
So how is this possible? Researchers share a widely accepted hypothesis about this. The belief is that when epidermal growth factors are applied to your skin in high concentrations, they initiate a communication chain between your cells. This leads to the stimulation of your dermal fibroblasts sparking collagen growth.
Researchers believe that products with epidermal growth factors trick your cells into pumping out more growth factors on their own. This triggers more collagen creation down below the surface for a plumper, glowier complexion.
In a word? Yes. Studies show that epidermal growth factors can trigger the genes responsible for fibroblast activity, thereby revving up collagen production and making skin look fresher and brighter.
Epidermal growth factors are a universally well-tolerated ingredient. This means that anyone can use them. But not everyone really needs them. A good rule of thumb is to start using a product with EGFs when you hit thirty.
This is when your body experiences a sharp decrease, reducing the speed your skin can repair itself. Using products with epidermal growth factors in your thirties may replenish your body’s levels of EGF, helping prevent the signs of premature aging.
When applied topically, EGFs are one of the most powerful active ingredients for overall skin rejuvenation. These molecules communicate with your cells to create more collagen and elastin. This action keeps your skin smooth and firm for a healthy, youthful complexion.
Skincare products that contain EGFs are the ultimate multitaskers. They tackle wrinkles and dark spots, lack of firmness and sagging, under-eye circles, and everything in between. If you have multiple concerns to address but want to keep your skincare routinesimple, one epidermal growth factor product can often take the place of several anti-aging ones.
EGFs are found everywhere in your skin. They manage essential tasks like replicating cells, reducing inflammation, and stimulating collagen production. When you use products with EGFs, you’re giving your skin more of what it makes naturally. It’s a safe and effective anti-aging treatment.
EGFs address lax skin and sagging. Before you reach for the botox or fillers, try a serum with epidermal growth factors to plump up and tighten your skin. Using EGFs helps extend the benefits from cosmetic procedures too, helping you go longer in between treatments.
You can easily add products with EGFs into your existing anti-aging skincare routine to up the ante on your results. They play well with vitamin C, retinol serums, and hyaluronic acid- just to name a few! Whatever treatment specific routine you’re following you can reap the added benefits of growth factors.
Because they’re produced naturally in the body, EGFs are an especially gentle skincare ingredient. Most people experience little or no adverse reaction to epidermal growth factors. Even those with very sensitive or post-cosmetic procedure skin can use products with growth factors.
Epidermal growth factors are the only proteins that promote collagen and elastin at the cellular level. Using EGFs in skincare is a cutting edge technology that gives your skin a push to heal and rejuvenate itself in a brand new way.
You can add any skincare products with epidermal growth factors into your current routine, without any adverse effects. Epidermal growth factors can even be used safely as a retinol alternative. If you have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate the irritation of retinol, try substituting a serum with growth factors. They are a much milder option with almost identical results.
Wrapping up
The science-backed rejuvenation powers of epidermal growth factors in skincare are more than impressive. Particularly if you’re noticing the signs of aging, dehydration, sun damage or post-acne marks.
This miracle ingredient works to improve your skin texture and elasticity while strengthening your skin’s barrier. It can even prevent the red marks left behind by breakouts.
The bottom line is EGFs play a significant role in rejuvenating the skin. If you’re looking to hydrate, brighten, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles all at once, add a product with epidermal growth factors to your skincare line-up today!
