Understanding Growth Factors in Skincare

Patients concerned with anti-aging may see the impact summer sun has on their skin. A combination of UV exposure, humid environments, and drying air conditioning not only aggravate existing skin conditions but highlight fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, flaking, and discoloration.

In trying to visibly improve signs of aging, you may have noticed a new ingredient making its way to the top of many medical-grade skincare products: growth factors.

What are growth factors?

Growth factors are proteins that are already naturally produced and found in the body. These proteins bind to receptors on cells and communicate crucial messages. In the skin, various growth factors tell cells to “produce collagen” or “create more elastin”. Unfortunately, as we age, our body produces lower quantities of growth factors. This results in a decrease in collagen production and a weakening of elastin, which causes signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging, and thinning skin.

What do growth factors do?

Growth factors–when applied topically–help improve the appearance of aging skin by supporting skin’s natural collagen and elastin. These collagen-supporting skincare ingredients can be found in formulations for the face, eye and other areas. 

Which ZO® products contain growth factors?

At ZO® Skin Health, we offer growth factor technology in the form of Growth Factor Serum and Growth Factor Eye Serum—both of which contain plant and enzyme derived growth factors. The Growth Factor Serum leverages ZO’s clinically proven growth factor technology in a powerful yet gentle solution that helps restore a more youthful appearance by visibly improving fine lines and wrinkles. The Growth Factor Eye Serum also contains ZO’s clinically proven growth factor technology and is specifically designed with ingredients that target the delicate eye area. It plumps to improve the look of dark circles, creases and hollows while re-invigorating  the look of tired eyes.

Patients experience fast-acting results and long-term benefits by incorporating these products into their daily protocol. In a 12-week clinical study of the Growth Factor Serum, ZO® Skin Health found the following: 

• 95% of patients reported improvement in texture and smoothness after 8 weeks.
• 78% of patients said skin appeared tighter and firmer after 12 weeks.
• 92% of patients reported improvement in overall appearance of the skin after 12 weeks.

ZO’s Growth Factor Serum and Growth Factor Eye Serum pair well with other products you may already use. Vitamin C, which is a proven antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals to boost the benefits of growth factors, is a welcome addition. If you’re a retinol lover, you can still use growth factors in tandem for enhanced anti-aging results. Of course, no skincare regimen is complete without the regular use of sunscreen.

In summary, growth factors are a collagen-supporting skincare ingredient that will provide year-round anti-aging benefits.