I Tested 20 Different Growth Factor Serums, And These 9 Are My Absolute Favorites

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I've been a religious user of retinol serums and creams for years, but when I turned 32 back in June, I felt like I needed to up my anti-aging game a bit more and experiment with some different products and actives. After weeks of researching and consulting with dermatologists, I landed on growth factor face serums.

Numerous experts told me that growth factors are one of the top ingredients for smoothing, plumping, and firming skin thanks to their ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production and signal skin cells to repair and rejuvenate themselves. Of course, I had to experience all this goodness for myself, so I tested 20+ different growth factor serums over the course of four months, weighed their pros and cons, and then created this list of the best picks. Here's a sneak peek:

Keep reading for the full list of the best growth factor serums, plus the important info you need to know when choosing a growth factor serum, according to dermatologist Heather Rogers, MD, and plastic surgeon Catherine Chang, MD.

Pro-Max Age Renewal Advanced Anti-Aging Serum with Micro Growth Factor Technology

After testing this growth factor serum for just one month, I was hooked. I wouldn't normally expect to see a difference in my skin after testing for that relatively short amount of time, but I really do think my forehead lines look smoother and the skin around my mouth and lower cheeks looks firmer and more lifted. Using this serum buys me a bit more time in between Botox appointments, which I really love too.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free: Yes

• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily

THE REVIEW: "I put this on every morning and evening and I love how it goes on smoothly with no need for tugging," writes a tester. "A small amount goes a long way and it absorbs well. I am two weeks in now and can see some of the fine lines receding around my mouth! It definitely gives your face a softer appearance. I highly recommend!"

EGF Eye Serum

I recently started seeing some fine lines and crow's feet around my eyes. Derms told me to use a retinol-based eye cream to help smooth them, but I typically have a hard time tolerating retinol around my eyes. That's where this growth factor eye serum comes in handy. It's helped visibly plump and smooth the lines around my eyes without causing any dryness or flaking—I even think it's helped reduce my stubborn dark circles too.

• Usage: As needed

• Fragrance-free: Yes

• Skin types: All

THE REVIEW: "I have sensitive eyes and this lightweight serum does not run into them or give me itchy/watery eyes," writes one tester. "I absolutely love how the metal rollerball applicator feels when I use this around my eyes," shares another.

TNS Advanced+ Serum

Chances are you've heard of this iconic serum, even if you aren't super familiar with growth factors. SkinMedica's TNS Advanced+ Serum has a cult-like following among dermatologists, aestheticians, and beauty editors alike. It uses a blend of growth factors, peptides, green microalgae, and marine extracts to firm, lift, and smooth skin with continued use. Just check out these before and afters for proof.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free? Yes

• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily

THE REVIEW: "I don’t know what's in this, but it makes my skin look fantastic! Yes, it’s expensive but I actually see a difference which is usually not the case," reads one tester review.

BioRenew EGF Drops

Glo Skin Beauty makes my favorite tinted moisturizer (shout out to C-Shield Anti-Pollution Moisture Tint SPF 30), so when I saw they also made an epidermal growth factor (EGF) serum I knew I needed to give it a try. The formula is designed to be a booster serum, meaning you can easily add a few drops to your favorite face moisturizer, face primer, or foundation. As for the ingredients, the combo of vegan growth factors (they mimic proteins found in human skin cells), hyaluronic acid, and peptides are the perfect trio for firming and plumping skin.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free? Yes

• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, sensitive

THE REVIEW: "These drops feel amazing on my skin, writes one tester, adding "once I started using them I noticed a clear difference in my wrinkles—I'll continue to repurchase this because I'm so impressed with the results."

InstaFacial Plasma

I first tested this growth factor serum while trying Dr. Diamond's signature InstaFacial (celebs like Kourtney Kardashian, Hilary Duff, and Olivia Culpo are fans, btw). I immediately fell in love with the lightweight texture and the way the formula soaked into my skin with zero greasy residue. As for the results? I was super impressed at the smoothness and firmness of my skin, and felt like my pores looked tighter and less noticeable too.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free? Yes

• Skin types: Dry, combo, oily, acne-prone, sensitive

THE REVIEW: One tester wrote, "I saw results from using this product after just nine days. My husband told me my skin looks as tight as a drum. It's worth every penny and I'll be sure to tell all my skin-obsessed friends."

Bio Serum Firm Hydrating and Anti-Aging Serum

Neocutis' Bio Serum Firm is an absolute anti-aging powerhouse. Yes, it's $$$, but the formula has got all the good stuff including growth factors and peptides to smooth lines and lift saggy skin, acetyl glucosamine to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump. It has a thicker texture than other serums on the list, so if you have combo or oily skin you could easily use this as moisturizer, FYI.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free? Yes

• Skin types: Dry, combo, sensitive, oily

THE REVIEW: "If I had an Amazon storefront this serum would probably be the only thing on it. This stuff is well worth the investment," one reviewer writes.

Tensage Growth Factor Intensive Serum 40 Post-Procedure Ampoules

I tested these growth factor ampoules after receiving a Clear and Brilliant laser treatment, and the way they sped up my recovery time and made my skin so soft and smooth was nothing short of a miracle. Following my provider's advice, I used one ampoule daily for 10 days post-treatment so that the combo of growth factors, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidant could help repair my skin and enhance the laser's resurfacing and regenerating benefits. I actually loved this serum inside these ampoules so much that I use them while travelling or for a week or two at a time when my skin feels like it needs a reset.

• Usage: Once daily

• Fragrance-free? No

• Skin types: Normal, dry, combo, acne-prone, sensitive

THE REVIEW: "These will change your skin! They made my skin tight and glowing and didn't burn or irritate me, even after an intense microneedling procedure. They will help your heal faster also," reads one review.

Multi Peptides and GF Advanced Lifting Serum

I've been obsessed with nearly every Allies of Skin product I've tried, including this lifting and firming serum. Inside the bottle is a blend of growth factors designed to repair and strengthen skin along with peptides to tighten up loose skin and smooth fine lines. And unlike other anti-aging serums I've tested that take weeks (sometimes even months) to work their magic, I noticed my skin looked smoother and less dull within in a few days of using this twice a day. Pretty major.

• Usage: Morning and/or evening

• Fragrance-free: Yes

• Skin types: Dry, sensitive, combo, oily

THE REVIEW: "I’ve been using the lifting serum for a couple weeks, and I swear my skin already looks and feels a bit more firm, especially on my neck area. Looking forward to seeing the results in a few more weeks!"

Growth Factor Serum

Multiple dermatologists and aestheticians have recommended this ZO's Growth Factor Serum to me over the years, saying that their patients and clients always get compliments on their skin after adding it to their skincare routines. It makes your skin noticeably more glowy and plump and reduces signs of aging, including fine lines, rough texture, and uneven skin tone. Plus, the gel-like formula has a velvety texture that absorbs nicely into the skin.

• Usage: Evening

• Fragrance-free? No

• Skin types: Normal, dry, combo

THE REVIEW: "I love how it feels on my skin," writes a tester. "It’s thick so a little goes a long way. My skin is so much softer now that use this and it seems to be helping with my fine lines and wrinkles too!"

Do growth factors really work on skin?

If your goal is smoother, tighter, firmer skin, then yes, growth factors really do work. "Growth factors stimulate fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production, leading to improved skin texture and firmness and a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles," says Dr. Rogers. Growth factors are also able to improve your skin's wound healing process and help repair damaged skin.

Some growth factors can even help calm the skin by turning off inflammation pathways, improving skin barrier function, and decreasing redness, adds Dr. Rogers.

Dr. Chang says it typically takes six to eight weeks of consistent use to see any of the above changes in your skin, so remember that patience is key when adding a growth factor serum to your routine.

Are growth factors better than retinol?

No, growth factors aren't better than retinol when it comes to treating signs of aging. "I tell my patients that a growth factor serum is the sixth skincare product they should buy," says Dr. Rogers. Face wash, face moisturizer, SPF, an antioxidant serum for daytime and an AHA or retinol serum for evening are non-negotiables, then comes a growth factor serum, explains Dr. Rogers.

Retinol is one of the most well-studied skincare ingredients and its ability to stimulate collagen and elastin production and boost cell turnover is proven time and time again. So, no, a growth factor serum shouldn't necessary replace your retinol serum or cream, but it's a great product to use in combination with or on alternate nights.

Which is the best growth factor serum for face?

The best growth factor serum is the one that's formulated with your skin type and concerns in mind. If your skin is sensitive, you'll want to make sure whatever growth factor serum you choose is made without potential skin irritants like fragrances and dyes. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, it would be smart to choose a growth factor serum that's labeled as oil-free and/or non-comedogenic. And if your skin is dry or dehydrated, a growth factor serum that contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid or glycerin is the best choice.

How to choose a growth factor serum:

Consider the source of the growth factors.

Growth factors are either bioengineered in a laboratory or culled from human stem cells, says Dr. Chang, adding that "human stem cells can come from any source including—skin, fat, bone marrow, or an umbilical cord." Growth factors can be controversial depending on their source, since some people do not want serums harvested from other human cells, explains Dr. Chang.

Look at the other ingredients in the formula.

Growth factors are great on their own, but for really impressive anti-aging results, you'll want to choose a serum that contains other actives as well. Other key ingredients to look for in a growth factor serum include peptides, retinol, antioxidants, and niacinamide.

Meet the experts:

• Heather Rogers, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Seattle, WA. Dr. Rogers is the co-founder of Modern Dermatology and the CEO of Doctor Rogers Skin Care.

• Catherine Chang, MD, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based Beverly Hills, CA. Dr. Chang is also the founder of Prive Beverly Hills and NakedBeauty MD.
  

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nearly a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best acne scar treatments to the best pore minimizing treatments. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to growth factor serums. She regularly tests and analyzes new growth factor serums for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and estheticians to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.

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