BioEffect EGF-based skincare to Launch in U.S.

Published: 2016-09-08 by Marina Milojević in Skin Care

The Icelandic skincare brand BioEffect is launching in the United States next month. This skin-care line, based on anti-aging biotechnology, offers a range of products formulated with a plant-based version of epidermal growth factor. The skincare line is based on 10 years of scientific biotechnology research, while its active ingredient, EFG, comes from barley plants grown in volcanic pumice and watered with pure Icelandic glacial natural spring water.

EGF, or Epidermal Growth Factor, is known to stimulate skin growth, proliferation, and survival at the cellular level. The discovery of NGF by Rita Levi-Montalcini and EGF by Stanley Cohen opened a new chapter in the study cell of growth and differentiation. This work led to the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to the scientists. Today, Epidermal growth factor is widely used in medicine to treat wounds and improve their healing, and, more recently, in cutting-edge skincare products.

EFG, which is often mentioned as the next frontier in anti-aging, is still surrounded by some controversial assumptions, as there’s still not enough research to prove its efficiency on aging skin. So, does EGF improve the appearance of skin, and is it safe? The answer is unclear. Obviously, the growth factor therapy has become a common clinical practice since EFG has proved effective in the treatment of wounds caused by injuries. There are numerous clinical studies demonstrating its safety and effectiveness on wounds, but none of them proves it could actually allow us to rejuvenate aging cells, reverse sun-induced damage, or decrease the appearance of wrinkles. BioEffect has conducted some trials of its own, and here's what Dr. Martina Kerscher, Professor of Cosmetics Science at the University of Hamburg, has to say about results of a half-a-face efficacy study of BIOEFFECT EGF SERUM:

To conclude: you should feel comfortable in making a decision to try out any of the EFG-based skincare products, but it would be more reasonable to focus on protecting your skin from premature aging, at least until scientists gather enough evidence to support these claims.

bioeffect greenhouse
BIOEFFECT's 2,000m2 state-of-the-art greenhouse

Bioeffect launched its first product, BioEffect EGF Serum back in 2010, and within a year it was used by 25% of Icelandic women. The serum was one of the most exciting skincare innovations that year, and, as consumer awareness of the brand continued to expand, BioEffect introduced new products: DAYTIME moisturizer, the intensive anti-aging 30 DAY Treatment, BODY INTENSIVE, EGF EYE SERUM, VOLCANIC EXFOLIATOR, DAYTIME for dry skin and EGF DAY SERUM. The products are already sold through Colette in Paris, Harrod’s and Liberty in London, KaDeWe in Berlin, Harvey Nichols in Hong Kong and Lane Crawford in China. Starting from October 2016, BioEffect will be available in the United States via an e-commerce site. By the end of the year, BioEffect products should appear in US retail doors, nationwide.

According to the brand, BIOEFFECT anti aging skincare products have been proven effective in independent, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies. The results have included an increase in skin thickness by 60 percent. The current product porfolio includes eight stock-keeping units, plus EGF Eye Mask Treatment, which is currently available exclusively at Harrods.

	BioEffect EGF Serum $160		BioEffect EGF Day Serum $145
	BioEffect 30 Day Treatment $290		BioEffect EGF Eye Serum $90
	BioEffect Body Intensive $110		BioEffect Volcanic Exfoliator $50
	BioEffect Daytime for Normal/Combination Skin $105		BioEffect Daytime for Dry Skin $105