When choosing skin care products, it is very easy to become confused by the buzzwords and “miracle ingredients” that headline all the advertisements. Antioxidants, peptides, stem cells, growth factors…it’s enough to make your head spin. It seems that each category of ingredients has even more confusing sub-categories. Take stem cells for instance. In skin care do we want plant stem cells or human derived stem cells? Adult or embryonic? Do we even want the stem cells themselves or do we want their growth factors? Wouldn’t it be ever so helpful if we had the opportunity to hear from one of the doctors and formulators who is on the forefront of stem cell technology and research for cosmetic use? Fortunately, I was recently given this opportunity.
Ben Johnson, MD is the founder and formulator of Osmosis Pür Medical Skincare. He has been been delivering medical strength skin care products using only natural and chirally correct ingredients since 1997. The Osmosis line is one of the few companies that has products aimed at repairing and rejuvenating skin at the cellular level in the dermis (deepest layer of the skin) where the majority of the skin’s aging occurs.
The product Stem Factor is one of the few skin care products on the market composed primarily of adult human-derived stem cell growth factors and growth media. While there are other growth factor products out there, Osmosis’ technology is continuously on the cutting edge. Dr. Johnson was kind enough to take a few (OK more than a few) moments out of his work to speak with me about Stem Factor, growth factors, and the technology behind it all.
Why growth factors instead of stem cells?
Growth factors are preferred over plant stem cells and even human stem cells because they assign specific functions to the cells. If we apply, or even inject undifferentiated stem cells (regardless of their potency) into the skin, there is no way to know what type of cells they will become. That’s not to say that they wouldn’t benefit the skin; they would break down into proteins and amino acids which would provide nourishment and a slight improvement to the condition of the skin; but the growth factors have demonstrated greater improvement. Furthermore, human-derived growth factors are safer than human-derived stem cells because there is no risk of infection or rejection associated with them.
Article comments
1 - ADiaz
Thanks for posting this!
I find your article to be really informative. I also like the fact that you mentioned growth factors, however, I do think that stem cells' benefits and accessibility must not be overlooked.
I've been doing a lot of research lately on cosmetic surgery, and I found vast information on stem cells and how they are used for face lifts among other procedures.
In fact, I read an article the other day that listed similar information to what's stated in your blog.
Stem cell face lift sounds very promising, especially the idea that we can find a high concentration of stem cells in our fat tissues. Once again, stem cells are not only extremely beneficial but they are also quite accessible.
Here's the article.
Let me know what you think!
2 - Rachael Pontillo
Hi, Thanks for your comment. If you read the comments in the final article I did in this series, there is some further discussion among MDs about stem cell accessibility and growth factors.
3 - AshleyD
Thanks, Rachel!
I just saw the link you sent me. Stem Cells are definitely revolutionary.
I am particularly fascinated with the use of stem cells in cosmetics. As you mentioned in your article, stem cells have a positive effects on the skin. Thus, people should definitely look into it, not only for anti-aging purposes, but also for acne and other skin conditions.
Keep it up!!