However, as the number of offerings expands so too does confusion as to which technologies to choose and why. This confustion is also apparent amongst consumers who often speculate as to whether or not human stem cells are actually used in the preparation of their most advanced anti-aging creams and serums.
Epithelial and hair bulge stem cells
There are two known sources of skin stem cells: epithelial stem cells and hair bulge stem cells. These undifferentiated cells are linked to progenitor cells, which then differentiate to renew and repair the skin. As we age this process slows down. In response to the aging process, companies have developed new ways to increase the regeneration of skin in the hopes of aging more gracefully.
Plant stem cells, commonly known as meristem cells, have recently taken the spotlight. These creams commonly contain extracts from the rare Swiss apple, the Uttwiler Spatlauber, to enhance cell regeneration.
The apple stem cells are transferred into a liquid and encapsulated in a liposomal delivery system. There are other plants that possess these benefits such as the alpine rose, red rice and solar vitis, and these plant cells claim to increase the life and vitality of our skin’s own stem cells.
Epidermal growth factors
Traditionally, before the discovery and development of mersitem cells, companies used epidermal growth factors, synthetic growth hormones and hormones to activate regeneration of the skin.
These ingredients were, and are still used, to expedite keratinocyte growth factors which promote keratinocytes to thickening the epidermis, in turn giving a more youthful appearance to the skin.
International Stem Cell Research is a company leader in the extraction of growth factors from non-embryonic eggs. This technology is knows as human parthenogenetic stem cell extraction.
The company's proprietary technology has a great therapeutic potential, yet does not require viable, life giving human embryos. The extracted ingredients are used in the formulation of LifeLine Skincare products. These ingredients are said to be “messaging molecules” which can communicate with your skin’s own cells and aid regeneration.
Human Growth Hormones
Human Growth Hormones are known to stimulate growth factors, stem cell regeneration and skin rejuvenation.
Nano-Claire-GY is lab created, nature-identical human growth hormone for skin care applications. This synthetic ingredient named SH-polypeptide-7 is encapsulated by a liposome and targets hair bulge stem cells at the receptor sites to regenerate the skin.
Coming at the problem from different paths and sources, epidermal growth factors, growth hormones, and plant meristem cells extracts all have one goal in mind: to increase stem cell regeneration and enable the return to youthful skin.