Do Epidermal Growth Factors Really Make Your Skin Look Younger?

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a naturally occurring polypeptide (small proteins) that stimulates significant cellular growth and proliferation. By switching on fibroblasts, cells responsible for supporting the skin matrix, EFGs stimulate collagen production, helping to dramatically improve skin density and elasticity. When applied to treated skin, the prolific proteins help repair cellular damage and encourage the appearance of fresh, healthy cells.

How it Works


EGF works by binding to specific epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) on a cell, where it initiates cellular DNA replication and, consequently, cell division and proliferation. Produced naturally by the body, EGF can also be synthesized from a variety of natural sources, including plant extracts and yeast. Because skin cells naturally recognize EGF, their interaction with the ingredient is flawless.  Originally used to speed wound recovery, EGF's discovery won researcher Dr. Stanley Cohen and his collaborators a Nobel Prize in 1986. A patent for cosmetic use followed three years later.

Speeding Up Recovery and Rebooting Aging Skin


Because all resurfacing treatments (i.e. peels, laser rejuvenation, microdermabrasions) damage the skin to some degree to achieve results, recovery has typically been a drawback of professional resurfacing treatments. The thought of spending days €” sometimes weeks €” in a vulnerable, post-operative state has inspired fear in many. However powerful EGFs accelerate the recovery process to bridge the gap between being a before and an after. It is critical to incorporate EGFs products, like COSMEDIX's Cell ID Serum, into any post resurfacing treatment regimen because directly stimulating the more rapid release of skin cells (resurfacing) without directly stimulating the rapid replacement of these cells will cause immune stress. By applying EGF products to resurfaced skin, the window of new cell vulnerability €” and post-procedure recovery time as a whole €” is abbreviated.
In addition to its recovery function, EGFs are a key player in the fight against premature aging. While we have EGFs in our skin, our natural supply diminishes with age and exposure to ultraviolet light. Unable to refresh itself at a healthy, youthful rate, the skin accumulates dead surface cells and starts to show visible signs of aging €” most notably dullness, roughness and prolonged healing time. By topically adding EGFs, a more youthful rate of renewal is achieved.