When looking for products to mitigate the physical signs of aging, experts recommend adding a growth factor serum to your routine. The powerful skincare cocktails often come with a hefty price tag—but are they worth the hype? I (along with my fellow Prevention editors) decided to put the industry’s top picks to the test.
You may be wondering what a growth factor serum is; they 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,” she explains.
Saami Khalifian, M.D., a double board-certified dermatologist based in Encinitas, CA, recommends those 35 and older add growth factor serum to their routine. “Around that age, collagen production declines, and cumulative sun exposure begins to break down elastin and hyaluronic acid at a faster rate than we make it,” he says. “Growth factor serums help stimulate the skin’s natural ability to restore and rebuild these essential components, which can lead to improved texture, firmness, and overall skin quality over time.”
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.
Ahead, explore the best growth factor serums tested by editors and vetted by dermatologists—plus expert tips on choosing the right one for your needs.
1. SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
“This is the iconic, ‘hero’ product in the growth factor category and remains one of the best options available,” says Dr. Khalifian, noting that it’s suitable for all skin types and “boasts outstanding clinical data” supporting its ability to lift and tighten the skin.
Dr. Lal recommends this product for the same reasons, as does Dr. Garshick who appreciates that it “uses a blend of a next-generation growth factor as well as an innovative peptide complex to help nourish the skin,” while smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and texture.
What we think: As a skincare-loving editor, I can attest to the complexion-boosting abilities of this product. I’ve been using it on and off for the last two years, going through three bottles. While I am in my mid-20s and can’t exactly attest to some of the claims from other reviewers regarding wrinkle reduction,
I can share that it invariably helps with my textured skin and gives me an overall brighter, smoother, more rejuvenated-looking complexion. I’ve also noticed that while using it, my skin heals more quickly from procedures like microneedling or chemical peels.
2. The INKEY List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
We found this option from The Inkey List is both effective and affordable. Dr. Lal appreciates that it contains oligopeptide-1 which he refers to as “a true growth factor,” and something he recommends searching for on your product ingredient labels.
This lightweight serum also contains 15% vitamin C, making it a great option for those looking for a brighter complexion in addition to a smoother, more lifted appearance. However, the high percentage of vitamin C in this serum may be too much for certain individuals with sensitive skin.
What we think: “Honestly it was pretty harsh on my skin, even only using it a few nights a week,” explained Prevention Assistant Editor Madeleine Haase, who tested this product for a few weeks. “I would say that it does effectively brighten for a fraction of the cost of other growth factor serums. However, people with sensitive skin should be careful since it is a hard-core product.”
3. Dr. Diamond’s Metacine INSTAFACIAL PLASMA Bioactive Growth Factor Serum
I’m well aware this is quite the pricey pick, but if you’re in the market for a luxurious growth factor serum that truly delivers on its promises, consider this formula.
What we think: I tested this serum twice daily for just over a month (and thankfully still have quite a bit left in the bottle) and I am already seeing results. I struggle with large pores on my cheeks and this product has done what I thought was impossible with skincare alone by noticeably reducing their appearance.
I also find that my acne spots have been healing much faster since introducing this product into my routine.
My only complaint is that while this serum layers easily with other products, it contains copper peptides which aren’t meant to be used at the same time as vitamin C.
Copper peptides are wonderfully effective at firming and repairing the skin, as Dr. Garshick previously explained—but it means I sometimes needed to pick and choose when I use this serum versus my go-to hyaluronic acid serum which happens to also contain vitamin C.
4. Neocutis Bio Serum Firm
“This topical serum contains both growth factors and proprietary peptides to improve the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture, overall firmness and elasticity, and boosting hydration,” Dr. Garshick says. “It is safe to use on the face, neck, and décolleté one to two times per day and can be followed by a moisturizing cream.”
What we think: “I’m usually skeptical when it comes to trying skincare with high price tags, but this little bottle worked wonders on my complexion,” says Prevention Senior Commerce Editor, Charlotte Lewis, who tested this product for just over four weeks.
“It’s so intensely moisturizing, but also absorbed so quickly—immediately upon application, my skin looked instantly smoother and refreshed. The next morning, my cheek felt baby smooth (I’m not exaggerating, I made multiple people feel it to confirm!), and within a week I could tell that both my laugh lines and the fine lines around my eyes were noticeably reduced.
I’ve now been using it for over a month, and the texture of my skin has never been better. I cannot see myself stopping use any time soon.”
5. ZO Skin Health Growth Factor Serum
Dr. Lal says that this serum from ZO Skin Health is a “very good product,” in that it helps reduce the visible signs of aging like fine lines, loss of elasticity, and uneven tone and texture.
And while growth factors in general help to maintain skin hydration, this lightweight gel formula kicks things up a notch with ingredients like glycerin, red ginseng extract, and a proprietary blend that “supports skin’s natural replenishment of hyaluronic acid,” according to the brand.
What a reviewer says: “The difference a growth factor serum makes is hard to describe—my skin is plumper, smoother, and has a glow,” one reviewer wrote on the ZO Skin Health website.
“I tried going without it for a month thinking it might be my imagination but as soon as I started using it again friends and colleagues commented how great my skin looked, how rested I looked, or asked if I’d ‘had something done.’ And I love how soft my skin feels.”
6. PCA SKIN Pro Max Age Renewal
“This serum works to help to lift and firm the appearance of the skin, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” explains Dr. Garshick. “It uses a patent-pending Micro Growth Factor Technology offering deeper penetration to help support collagen production.”
What we think: “I used this serum for four weeks, two times a day, and noticed my skin is now softer and smoother, but can’t say that wrinkles were reduced. I think seeing more dramatic results like that would take longer (especially for ‘older’ women),” explains Prevention Production Coordinator, Sue Kakstys.
“I was pleasantly surprised that my sensitive skin was not irritated by the application. The serum was lightweight, absorbed quickly, and only a small amount was needed.”
7. Perricone MD High Potency Growth Factor Firming & Lifting Serum
Dr. Lal recommends this growth factor serum for its ability to lift and firm the skin using an innovative formula. Not only does this serum contain growth factors, but it also boasts retinol to maximize the skin-boosting benefits.
Retinol benefits overlap with growth factor benefits like lifting, firming, and brightening as both aid in collagen production, but the retinol in this formula also aids with skin renewal and exfoliation.
What a reviewer says: “I can’t say enough about this product! Give it three weeks of using a thin layer AM + PM and watch your skin change. Tone, texture, and fine lines look like they’re getting filtered out,” wrote one Amazon reviewer.
“I had two lines on my upper lip from a fever blister drying out and the lines are about gone. Read the clinical studies on EGF. It’s a win-win for anti-aging. Even my neck looks younger. I’m 50 years old and I wish this was around in my 20s.”
8 . Osmosis+ Beauty StemFactor Growth Factor Serum
If you’re looking for a product that’s at the forefront of growth factor technology, this is it. This innovative serum contains over 600 different growth factors and peptides, along with advanced exosome technology, according to the brand.
What we think: “I love the lightweight texture of this serum—it absorbs super well without a sticky feeling, and it feels like my skin drinks it right up when applied. It also seemed to layer well with my other skincare products (my toner, serum, and moisturizer),” says Prevention Associate Commerce Editor Hannah Jeon, who tested this product for around three weeks, using it twice daily.
“My skin type is more on the dry side and can be sensitive to some products, but I had no irritation issues with this serum at all. My skin has definitely been feeling pretty well-hydrated and smooth since I’ve been using it—and I usually struggle with dryness this time of winter.
One thing that particularly amazed me about the serum: One morning I woke up with a small cut/scar on my nose (presumably from accidentally scratching my face with my fingernails in my sleep), and I applied the serum as normal. The scar was gone the next morning—it had healed so quickly, and I think it was thanks to the serum!”
What is a growth factor serum?
Growth factor serums are skincare serums made with growth factors. These serums are normally associated with anti-aging benefits.
“Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins that enable cells to communicate with one another. By binding to specific receptors on target cells, they deliver ‘instructions’ that can prompt those cells to carry out specific functions,” Dr. Khalifian explains.
“These messenger molecules have been used in skincare for many years because they help boost the skin’s own production of collagen and elastin—two key components that maintain firmness, elasticity, and overall skin quality.”
While many serums use human-derived growth factors, there are plenty of options that are naturally or synthetically derived, according to Dr. Lal, who prefers human-derived growth factors or growth factors synthetically based on human growth factors.
