Try These Derm-Recommended Growth Factor Serums for More Youthful-Looking Skin

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When it comes to anti-aging serums, there’s no shortage of skincare products or ingredients that promise a radiant, youthful-looking complexion. But a growth factor serum might be the missing piece to your skincare puzzle. A powerful skin-loving concoction, it’s arguably one of the best all-in-one, powerhouse products for healthy skin at any age.

Meet the experts: Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ and Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC.

Growth factor serums are made up of proteins that help to naturally repair the skin (growth factors), explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. “While growth factors exist naturally in the body, with age the levels decrease.” These proteins play an important role in collagen production and skin regeneration, making them an excellent ingredient to include in your routine to address concerns like skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, and overall skin hydration and health.

The best part about using a serum containing growth factors is that the ingredient plays well with other products, making it an easy addition to your previously established skincare routine. Experts even say that growth serum can be less irritating than retinols and retinoids (which experts still suggest using if tolerated).

Let’s point out that growth factors can come from human or plant cells—eeek!

Our top picks

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Keep reading for the growth factor serums experts recommend most, plus how to choose and use the right one for you.

When it comes to anti-aging serums, there’s no shortage of skincare products that promise a radiant, youthful-looking complexion. While it may be difficult to figure out what’s worth adding to your routine, dermatologists say growth factor serum is worth the hype. A powerful skin-loving concoction, it’s arguably one of the best all-in-one, powerhouse products for healthy skin at any age.

Meet the experts: Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ; and Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC.

Growth factor serums are made up of proteins, known as growth factor, that help to naturally repair the skin, explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. “While growth factors exist naturally in the body, with age the levels decrease.” These proteins play an important role in collagen production and skin regeneration, addressing concerns like skin laxity, fine lines and wrinkles, and overall skin hydration and health.

There are many types of growth factors, which can be human-derived, synthetically derived, or naturally derived (such as from plants or snails), explains Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., a double board-certified dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ., who prefers to use products with human-derived growth factors or growth factors synthetically based on human growth factors for maximum efficacy.

Our top picks

The best part about using growth factors is that they usually play well with other products, making the serums an easy addition to your already-established skincare routine. Experts even say that growth factor serum can be less irritating than retinol and retinoids (which they still suggest using if tolerated). Ahead, explore the best dermatologist-recommended growth factor serums and all of the benefits associated with the powerful anti-aging product.

TNS Advanced+ Serum

If you’re looking for one of the best, and first, growth factor serums, look no further than this option from SkinMedica, says Dr. Lal, who notes that it has been shown in studies to give the skin a more rejuvenated appearance. This serum is also a favorite of Dr. Garshick, as it “uses a blend of a next-generation growth factor as well as an innovative peptide complex to help nourish the skin,” while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and texture.

15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum

This option from The Inkey List is both effective and affordable. Dr. Lal appreciates that it contains oligopeptide-1 which he refers to as “a true growth factor.” This lightweight serum also contains vitamin C, making it a great option for those looking for a brighter complexion in addition to a smoother, more lifted appearance.

High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Serum

Dr. Lal recommends this growth factor serum for its ability to lift and firm the skin using an innovative formula. Not only does this serum contain growth factors, but it also boasts retinol to maximize the skin-boosting benefits. Retinol benefits overlap with growth factor benefits like lifting, firming, and brightening as both ingredients aid in collagen production, but the retinol in this formula also aids with skin renewal and exfoliation.

Youth Serum

For those with more sensitive skin, this formula is enriched with centella asiatica, which “helps to firm the skin while also soothing the skin,” explains Dr. Garhsick. “Providing both immediate and long term results, this serum helps to tighten, smooth, and restore.”

Growth Factor Serum

Dr. Lal says that this serum from ZO Skin Health is a “very good product,” in that it helps reduce the visible signs of aging like fine lines, loss of elasticity, and uneven tone and texture. And while growth factors in general help to maintain skin hydration, this lightweight gel formula kicks things up a notch with ingredients like glycerin, red ginseng extract, and a proprietary blend that “supports skin’s natural replenishment of hyaluronic acid,” according to the brand.

Pro Max Age Renewal

“This serum works to help to lift and firm the appearance of the skin, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Dr. Garshick. “It uses a patent-pending Micro Growth Factor Technology offering deeper penetration to help support collagen production.”

Bio Serum Firm

“This topical serum contains both growth factors and proprietary peptides to improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture, overall firmness and elasticity, and boosting hydration,” Dr. Garshick says. “It is safe to use on the face, neck, and décolleté one to two times per day and can be followed by a moisturizing cream.”

Tensage Daily Serum

This lightweight and oil-free serum can be used by all skin types, according to Dr. Garshick. “Containing antioxidants like vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, this serum helps to brighten and hydrate the skin.” Plus, it helps reduce the signs of sun damage. “It also incorporates a high level of growth factors to help repair the skin and improve signs of skin aging.”

Youth Eye Complex

The Youth Eye Complex from iS Clinical pairs perfectly with the iS Clinical Youth Serum recommended by Dr. Garshick. This eye serum uses the same growth factor blend to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the delicate eye area while also providing hydration and providing antioxidant protection. “This product has really helped with the dark circles under my eyes. After using this cream I can really feel the difference and the skin feels tighter and smoother,” wrote one Dermstore reviewer. “I don’t have many wrinkles on my eyelids after using this cream. Best cream ever.”

Anti-Aging Serum

Growth factors are paired with powerful peptides in this serum to combat the visible signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and dullness. Plus, you can rest assured knowing it contains oligopeptide-1, which gets Dr. Lal’s stamp of approval in terms of growth factors. “This stuff is fab! It absorbs almost immediately and really does wonders for my fine lines,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “It really plumps up and is so smooth!”

Benefits of using growth factor serums

The many benefits of growth factor serums come from their ability to support collagen production and help skin cells grow healthier and function better, explains Dr. Lal. As your skin produces more collagen you may notice:

• Softening of fine lines and wrinkles

• Tighter and more firm skin

• Brighter complexion

• Improvement in skin hydration

How to choose and use the best growth factor serums

✔️Look for the type and concentration of growth factors. Make sure the serum you choose has a high enough concentration of growth factors by ensuring it falls high on the list of ingredients. Dr. Lal suggests looking for “human-derived fibroblast media” or the consensus names of growth factors as determined by the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients: human oligopeptide-1, human oligopeptide-10, and human oligopeptide-12. However, for those who prefer a naturally-derived option, there are plant-based growth factors available as well.

✔️Consider other ingredients. To get the most out of your serum, Dr. Garshick suggests choosing one that contains other active ingredients. “Other ingredients that may help to work to complement the effects of growth factors such as peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants.”

✔️Use it daily. Use your growth factor serum every day, either once or twice per day (following the directions on the bottle), Dr. Garshick suggests. “It is best to apply after cleansing, prior to moisturizing,” she explains while noting it can be used alongside a retinol to maximize the anti-aging benefits.

What is a growth factor serum?

Growth factor serums are skincare serums made with growth factors. Growth factors are proteins that are naturally produced by the skin cells in our bodies and are responsible for repairing the skin via collagen production.

By using growth factor serums, experts agree that we may see increased collagen production leading to firmer, smoother, healthier skin.

While many serums use human-derived growth factors, there are plenty of options that are naturally or synthetically derived, according to Dr. Lal, who prefers human-derived growth factors or growth factors synthetically based on human growth factors.

Can you use growth factors with retinol?

Using a serum with growth factors alongside a retinol or retinoid is a great way to increase the anti-aging benefits of each ingredient, according to Dr. Garshick. Depending on your preference, you can layer these products in the same skincare routine or use a growth factor serum in the morning and use a retinol or retinoid in the evening.

How we chose the best growth factor serums

We spoke with Karan Lal, D.O., M.S., F.A.A.D., a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist with Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ and Marisa Garshick, M.D., a leading board-certified dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in NYC. We also sifted through countless online reviews to find the best growth factor serums available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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