Human epidermal growth factor (hEGF), a polypeptide hormone (53 amino acids) in the human body, is secreted by platelets, macrophages, fibroblasts, and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. EGF plays an important role in stimulating epithelial and fibroblast differentiation, enhancing collagen synthesis, and supporting wound healing.

In 1986, Stanley Cohen was awarded the Nobel Prize for his research demonstrating that EGF directly stimulates the proliferation and development of epidermal cells.

EGF stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival primarily through the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). When EGF binds to its receptor, it initiates a cascade of molecular reactions that lead to the following effects:

- Regulates cell proliferation and differentiation through receptor-mediated signaling.

- Directly impacts the biosynthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as Collagen and Elastin.

- EGF entering the dermis can promote fibroblast proliferation and restore fibroblast synthesis capabilities.

- Inhibits collagen degradation by inhibiting collagenase activity in the dermis.

-> This helps accelerate wound healing, speed up regeneration, slow down the aging process, and inhibit wrinkle formation.

Benefits of EGF

Involvement in the wound healing process

EGF facilitates wound healing by promoting epithelial regeneration and angiogenesis, and can stimulate fibroblast activation and proliferation through the PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways. EGF has also been shown to protect fibroblasts from oxidative stress by scavenging harmful oxidative products formed during the acute wound healing phase.

 

Reduces acne, prevents scars

Several studies have found that EGF inhibits the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-8, and TNF-α, induced by acne-causing bacteria C. acnes in keratinocytes. This suggests that EGF has the ability to control inflammatory responses, and when inflammation is minimized, it means preventing post-acne skin damage such as atrophic scars and post-inflammatory erythema.

 

(Figures a,b) Inflammatory acne significantly improved after 6 weeks of EGF treatment. (Figures c,d) No change in inflammatory lesion severity in the control group after 6 weeks.

Prevents post-laser hyperpigmentation

A study evaluating the responsiveness and safety of EGF when combined with Fractional CO2 Laser yielded astonishing results. In addition to its ability to improve scars, the melanin index in the EGF group significantly decreased after three months of treatment compared to placebo.

This effectiveness is explained by EGF's ability to regulate the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines produced when melanocytes are stimulated by laser, thereby reducing melanin formation.

(Figures A, B, C) Improvement after 1 month (B) and 3 months (C) of fractional CO2 laser treatment combined with EGF. (Figures D, E, F) Improvement after 1 month (D) and 3 months (F) of fractional CO2 laser treatment alone.

Outstanding advantages of EGF from oh!oh!

EGF is a molecule that offers tremendous benefits, but incorporating EGF into a cosmetic formulation is a challenge. EGF has a large molecular weight, making it difficult to transport into the skin, and it is also very sensitive to pH and temperature changes, making it less stable in cosmetic products. Let's explore the criteria for a quality EGF product with oh!oh!

• Penetration ability

EGF is a polypeptide composed of 53 amino acids, so for such a bulky molecule to pass through the stratum corneum and be active is a significant challenge. At oh!oh!, EGF is designed at an appropriate size and uses modern delivery technology to increase its penetration through the stratum corneum.

• Stability

Due to its protein nature, EGF is very easily denatured by pH, heat, and interactions with other substances. Cosmetics are a mixture of many ingredients, so keeping EGF stable and "safe" is not easy. Encapsulation technology helps with this problem; in addition to packaging the active ingredient into small packets for easier absorption, encapsulating the active ingredient is also a method to isolate it from the external environment and minimize losses until it reaches the consumer.

• Transparency of EGF origin and concentration

EGF from oh!oh! is human gene-derived and produced at high purity, offering good biocompatibility. This is one of the reasons why good EGF-containing products are not cheap.

Expanding EGF efficacy through synergistic formulations

EGF + Oat Extract

Oat Extract has been used in dermatology since ancient times, so there is no doubt about its effectiveness. The FDA has also certified oat extract as a safe and effective ingredient (Type I ingredient).

Oat extract is ideal for controlling atopic dermatitis and other skin irritation conditions. Proteins from oats form a protective barrier for the skin against external aggressors and prevent moisture loss. High concentrations of starch and beta-glucan from oats provide protective and hydrating effects for the skin. Potent antioxidants such as avenanthramides, vitamin E, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid give oats anti-inflammatory properties. Oat extract also acts as a buffer to help restore skin pH to normal levels.

In particular, Avenanthramides in oats are phenolic compounds with strong anti-inflammatory activity. Avenanthramides inhibit NF-KB (a protein that controls inflammatory factors) in keratinocytes and inhibit the release of IL-8 cytokine (an inflammatory mediator).

Combined effectiveness:

• Restores, accelerates skin healing after invasive procedures, strong peeling treatments, redness, and irritation.
• Manages sensitive, easily irritated skin, limits flare-ups during seasonal changes.
• Supports collagen production, fills in atrophic scars when combined with device-based treatments.
• Prevents post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after invasive treatments.

oh!oh! Stem Cell Regenerating Serum Oatmere Serum with a formula containing:

• 4.5% Oat Extract: effective soothing properties, anti-inflammatory, heals skin damage, and maintains moisturized skin.
• 9.9 ppm EGF: stimulates skin to accelerate cell regeneration, restructure skin, thereby nourishing healthy skin. At the same time, it improves existing wrinkles and reduces the appearance of new ones.
• Centelloside Gotu Kola Extract (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic, and madecassic acid): has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in wound healing, stimulates skin to produce GAGs and Collagen.
• Pro Anti-Irritant Complex (Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Allantoin): anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing properties, combats the effects of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in the dermis, helping skin remain plump and youthful.
• Fucus Vesiculosus Extract: Softens, restores, and hydrates skin and prevents signs of premature aging.

EGF + Copper Tripeptide-1

Copper Tripeptide-1 (GHK-Cu) is a complex of Tripeptide-1 (Glycyl, Histidyl, and Lysine) bound to the element Copper. The combination of these two ingredients creates the Copper Tripeptide-1 complex, which helps repair, heal wounds, reduce inflammation, act as an antioxidant, and stimulate the production of important skin components like Collagen, Elastin, and Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), thereby improving elasticity, firmness, and reducing wrinkles/fine lines. Additionally, GHK-Cu has a special feature: it breaks down damaged or excessively large collagen fibers (like collagen IV) that cause keloids and stimulates the production of healthy collagen afterward. Therefore, GHK-Cu is commonly used after scar treatment procedures.

GHK-Cu inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TGF-β and TNF-α, thus having strong anti-inflammatory effects and can be used as a topical agent in treating inflammatory skin conditions as an alternative to corticosteroids. GHK inactivates harmful free radical byproducts from lipid peroxidation, stimulates the body's intrinsic antioxidant system like superoxide dismutase, and protects cells from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Combined effectiveness:

• Facilitates the healing of skin damage after invasive procedures.
• Strengthens skin foundation, rejuvenates skin, prevents early signs of aging.
• Supports collagen production, fills in atrophic scars when combined with device-based treatments.

Anti-aging, scar-reducing serum Flawless Abyss Serum:

• 1.2% GHK-Cu: repairs damaged cells, while stimulating the production of important skin components such as collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans, thereby filling scars and improving skin elasticity and firmness.
• 9.9 ppm EGF: stimulates skin to accelerate cell regeneration, restructure skin, thereby nourishing healthy skin.
• Centellosides Gotu Kola Extract (asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic & madecassic acid): antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, while stimulating GAGs production.
• Pro Anti-Irritant Complex (Dipotassium glycyrrhizinate, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Extract, Allantoin): anti-inflammatory properties, soothes skin, accelerates recovery of damaged, sensitive skin.
• Fucus Vesiculosus Extract: notable for its antioxidant properties, protecting skin from environmental aggressors and preventing early signs of aging.

Suggested Routine

Routine for damaged skin recovery, supporting the improvement of atrophic scars

Good and gentle cleansing

When skin is weak and easily irritated, the first thing to do is to avoid harsh cleansing products. Xylica Micellar Cleansing Water deeply and quickly cleanses dirt and makeup residue without leaving a sticky or tight feeling after use. The formula supports skin barrier repair thanks to the AQUAXYL™ complex & 1% Cica complex (Gotu Kola extract + Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Saponins). Triterpenoid compounds from Cica Extract help with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, reducing irritation, thereby resulting in healthier skin. The AQUAXYL™ complex enhances hydration, ensures skin's water balance, and strengthens the skin's protective "barrier," preventing moisture loss to the environment.

Hydrating serum

Proteos Hydra Plus Ampoule contains 5% pure Vitamin C, which can neutralize harmful free radicals and stimulate collagen production. 3% Proteoglycans have a water-holding capacity 30% higher than Hyaluronic Acid, and also act as growth factors effective in the wound healing process, helping to prevent scar formation on the skin.

Restorative serum

Thin, weak skin greatly needs essential nutrients to restore its protective barrier. Flawless Abyss Serum is a serum that helps promote the healing of damaged skin tissues, enhances collagen and elastin production for complete and aesthetic wound healing, provides antioxidant benefits, and soothes reactions in damaged skin such as tightness, redness, itching, and flaking.

Moisturizer

Using Oatmere Serum as the final step in your skin recovery routine will help boost skin moisture, making skin soft, smooth, and firm. The product's formula contains 4.5% Oat Extract (oat extract) to soothe, anti-inflammatory, and heal skin damage, while also adding 9.9 ppm EGF (growth factor) to improve existing wrinkles and reduce the appearance of new wrinkles, stimulate epidermal cell division, and promote additional elastin production, restructuring the skin.

Sunscreen

Damaged skin will be especially sensitive to sunlight, so sunscreen is mandatory. Good sunscreen should meet two criteria: broad-spectrum skin protection and a beautiful, non-greasy finish. MartiDerm Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 50+ protects against UVA, UVB, IR (infrared), and HEV (blue light) rays, helping to prevent and repair signs of premature skin aging. The combination of Proteoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid & Silicon Complex keeps skin looking youthful, fresh, and even-toned.

Advanced anti-aging skincare routine

Cleansing

Micellar cleansing water Xylica Micellar Cleansing Water deep cleans and quickly removes dirt and makeup residue without leaving a sticky or tight feeling after use. The formula supports skin barrier restoration thanks to the AQUAXYL™ complex & 1% Cica complex (Centella Asiatica extract + Pentacyclic Triterpenoid Saponins). Triterpenoid compounds from Cica Extract help to anti-oxidize, reduce inflammation, minimize irritation, thereby bringing healthier skin. AQUAXYL™ complex enhances hydration, ensures water balance for the skin, and strengthens the skin's protective "barrier," preventing moisture loss to the environment.

Antioxidant serum 

Excessive accumulation of free radicals leads to oxidative stress, negatively affecting skin radiance, destroying Collagen and weakening skin structure. Therefore, antioxidation should become a daily care step to prevent signs of aging. MartiDerm Platinum Photo Age HA+ contains 15% high-concentration Vitamin C, 3% Proteum 89+, and Hyaluronic Acid to keep skin plump and elastic. It reduces wrinkles, dark spots, melasma, and dullness, restoring a brighter and more perfect appearance to the skin.

Skin rejuvenating serum

For sensitive skin types that cannot tolerate the peeling reactions of Retinol, EGF and GHK-Cu are suitable alternatives. Flawless Abyss Serum with the combination of GHK-Cu strongly supports the proliferation of skin structural components such as Collagen and Elastin, synergistically with 9.9ppm EGF (epidermal growth factor) to encourage epidermal growth and nourish the skin long-term. As a result, signs of aging like wrinkles, dark spots, etc., will gradually disappear, leaving skin smooth, bright, healthy, and completely rejuvenated.

Moisturizer 

Stem cell essence, skin regenerating Oatmere Serum is developed with a formula containing a high concentration of 9.9ppm EGF, whose main function is to support skin regeneration and repair by promoting DNA synthesis and cell proliferation, thereby effectively preventing age-related issues. In addition, 4.5% Oat Extract provides deep hydration and combats damage from free radicals.

Sunscreen

MartiDerm Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 50+ protects against UVA, UVB, IR (infrared), and HEV (blue light) rays, helping to prevent and repair early signs of skin aging. The combination of Proteoglycans, Hyaluronic Acid & Silicon Complex keeps skin youthful, fresh, and even-toned.