{"id":27975,"date":"2024-07-30T12:07:56","date_gmt":"2024-07-30T19:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=27975"},"modified":"2024-07-31T12:21:21","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T19:21:21","slug":"growth-factor-skincare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/growth-factor-skincare","title":{"rendered":"Should You Be Using Growth Factor Skin Care? Here\u2019s What Dermatologists Have to Say"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Featured Experts<\/strong>
Dr. Diane Madfes<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist  in New York City
Dr. Omar Ibrahim<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago
Dr. Robyn Gmyrek<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

Growth factors aren’t exactly the new kids on the skin-care block, but there has been an increased and renewed interest in these actives as of late. Perhaps that’s because exosomes<\/a>, which contain growth factors, are more popular than ever. Or maybe it’s due to our continued, collective quest for an anti-aging magic bullet. Regardless, growth factors are having a moment.<\/p>

But do they, in fact, deliver on all their youth-boosting promises? And with so many different types of growth factor skin-care products out there, how do you know which one to choose? We asked top dermatologists to weigh in on everything there is to know about these promisingly powerful molecules and explain what they can actually do. Ahead, the doctors’ take, plus a list of the growth factor products worth the spend. <\/p>

What are growth factors?<\/h2>

Growth factors are proteins that act as signaling molecules for different pathways in the skin, explains Dr. Diane Madfes<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist  in New York City. They communicate and send messages to various cells and regulate all kinds of processes, including cellular development, repair, division, and differentiation, adds Dr. Omar Ibrahim<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Chicago. They’re particularly beneficial for wound healing, which is where a lot of the initial research surrounding growth factors began, he notes. But that’s since migrated to the skin-care space, with multiple companies attempting to harness and translate the benefits of growth factors into topical products, Dr. Ibrahim adds.<\/p>

Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

What can growth factors do for your skin?<\/h2>

As pertains to skin care, there are two specific types of growth factors that have been shown to be most effective—epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF). “These can stimulate collagen synthesis, improve elasticity, and promote skin cell proliferation, leading to a more youthful appearance with fewer wrinkles and improved texture,” explains Dr. Robyn Gmyrek<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. In short, they’re a multiply beneficial anti-aging ingredient—and one typically very well tolerated, at that. <\/p>

So who should be using them? While they’re beneficial across the board, Dr. Madfes says she really likes them for a slightly older demographic. “I love growth factors for women who are perimenopausal or in their mid-40s, when collagen and elastin production are really starting to slow down and you need something that can help boost those pathways,” she explains. Dr. Ibrahim agrees that they’re not necessarily a universal must-have: “I tell patients to stick with the basics, retinoids and sunscreen. Then, if you have room in your budget, you can add a growth factor.” <\/p>

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