EGF Serum contains Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), also known as sh-Oligopeptide-1, mixed into OptoDerm’s well proven, phospholipid, biomimetic moisturising base. It also contains hydrolysed collagen, Kombucha black tea ferment, xyloglucans and the well-known peptide Hexapeptide-11.

Epidermal Growth Factor (sh-Oligopeptide-1), is one of the most important proteins found naturally in our skin and plays a major role in the healthy function of collagen, elastin, and hydration. As we age, EGF levels decrease, leaving our skin vulnerable to aging. Adding EGF Serum to your skin care regimen replenishes the natural EGF levels in your skin, increases the rate of healing and renewal of the skin, and slows the thinning of aging skin, thus minimising wrinkles. The synthetic peptide sh-Oligopeptide-1, consists of the amino acids lysine, glycine and histidine. It has an identical chemical structure to the skin’s natural epidermal growth factor.

Hexapeptide-11 is a natural peptide isolated from yeast, with the amino acid sequence Phe-Val-Ala-Pro-Phe-Pro. It upregulates 5 key functional areas in the skin viz Transmembrane Proteins, Growth Factors, Matrix Proteins, Skin Lipid Development, and Cell Shock/Cell Stress Proteins:

Transmembrane proteins are special cellular membrane shuttling sites that move important internal and external cellular materials through the cell membranes.
Growth Factors are key enzymes responsible for differentiation and growth of tissue, in particular fibroblasts, and can differentiate into numerous tissue types, including keratinocytes. Hexapeptide-11 uniquely plays a role in upregulating important cellular growth factors, notably FGF1 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 1), FGF2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 2), FGF4 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 4), TGFB1 (Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1), VEGFC (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C) and CD44 (Hyaluronic acid transmembrane glycoprotein). As such, it works in concert with EGF to stimulate the production of the many important extracellular matrix components that fibroblasts produce in your skin viz. collagen, elastin, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid.
These matrix (or extracellular) proteins give the skin substance, elasticity, and turgor.
Skin Lipids are the components that make up the essential natural lipid bilayer of the skin, a key aspect of skin hydration.
Cell Shock proteins are chaperone proteins that are excreted by cells to protect important cellular proteins from being denatured due to stress, including environmental stress.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), naturally distributed in human body. Hyaluronic acid is the major component of the extracellular matrix. It is found in high quantity in the skin, where it is produced by fibroblasts and keratinocytes. One of its main functions is to hold water in the intercellular matrix of the connective tissue. This water-binding capacity contributes significantly to the elasticity of the skin. Hyaluronic acid plays the role of water pump, maintaining elasticity by acting as a water reservoir. Hyaluronic acid is also involved in tissue repair. While it is abundant in extracellular matrices, it also contributes to tissue hydrodynamics, movement and proliferation of cells, and it participates in a number of cell surface receptor interactions, notably those including its primary receptor, CD44. EGF Serum contains a high molecular weight HA which is able to hold 1000 times its own weight in water, to deliver immediate intensive hydration to the surface layers of the skin, for an instant smoothing and firming effect.

The presence of skin-identical phospholipids and biomimetic moisturising factors in EGF Serum helps repair and hydrate the skin’s natural barrier and replenish depleted NMF (Natural Moisturising Factors), namely: Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Glycine, Fructose, Urea, Niacinamide, Inositol and Lactic Acid. Hydrolysed collagen provides the skin additional nutrients and essential collagen-building amino acids.

Xyloglucans (or Tamarindus indica polysaccharides), endowed with remarkable filming and hydrating properties, enhances the serum’s hydration activity by stimulating the production of filligrin, a protein crucial in maintaining skin hydration. Research shows that cutaneous hydration immediately improved by >59% at 30 minutes, and, over a longer period (30 days) improved skin hydration by >35%, providing a strong moisturizing effect, both short and long term. Xyloglucans also inhibit senescence-related β-galactosidase, which is typically overexpressed in aging keratinocytes, especially those exposed to UV radiation damage and oxidative stress. Research also shows that xyloglucans improved overall skin elasticity by >19%, and decreased skin roughness by >21%, providing a visible anti-wrinkle effect. Furthermore, the combination of xyloglucans and hyaluronic acid stimulates the production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10.

Kombucha black tea ferment is rich in organic acid and B-group vitamins. Research shows that:

it has antiglycation activity – inhibiting glycation by as much as 79%
it has a re-densifying, restoration effect on the adipocyte population. This lipo-filling activity is especially interesting in more mature skins which show a loss of volume due to aging. G3PDH (the marker for adipocyte maturation) activity increased by 136%
it improves overall skin quality by enhancing skin smoothness. It significantly smoothes the microdepressionnary network of the skin by 16.2% after 29 days
it enhances skin luminosity and clarity. This increase was perceived in 75% and 81% of two trial populations.