The 10 Best Growth Factor Serums for More Youthful-Looking Skin, According to Dermatologists
According to experts, this buzzy skincare ingredient offers major benefits.
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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.
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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.
Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor's degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.
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