There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do.
I took one look at Kate Beckinsale’s post-penis-facial glow and knew I had to have what she’s having.
After a little bit of research, I discovered that the magical star ingredient utilized in the penis facial is called EGF, otherwise known as epidermal growth factor. It’s a protein responsible for regulating rejuvenating processes in the skin, making it an excellent anti-aging ingredient.
Traditionally, EGF makes its way into skincare products after being extracted from human foreskin fibroblast cells, hence the name “penis facial.” If the thought of smearing serum sourced from foreskin creeps you out, I feel you. So, in my search for the best EGF serum, I was delighted to discover a brand called Bioeffect, which uses barley to source their EGF (instead of, you know, people).
I’ve been using the Bioeffect EGF Serum for about 4 weeks now and I’m pleasantly stunned (and also a little perplexed) at how much my skin texture has improved. To be sure I fully understood what I’ve been slathering all over my face for the past month, I chatted with one of Bioeffect’s chief scientists to further demystify this unique ingredient.
“Human growth factors can be very powerful ingredients in skincare products. However, sourcing them can be very difficult, as they are very expensive in production and the quality can be compromised,” explained Dr. Bjorn Orvar, chief scientific officer and cofounder of Bioeffect. “Our company has developed a technology to produce them in bioengineered barley seed, which results both in purer and more stable EGF, due to lack [of] endotoxins and lower proteolytic activity (enzymes that break down other proteins, such as EGF) in the barley background.”
He also explained that numerous studies have shown the importance of EGF for healthy, youthful skin, in addition to its critical role in normal wound-healing. “EGF in topically applied products have been shown to improve skin texture and firmness, increase skin thickness, elasticity and collagen density, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, as well as improve water retention and moisture level in the skin,” he said.
I can attest that it’s doing just that! My skin feels more supple, looks less wrinkled, and appears healthier overall. I’d honestly think it was too good to be true if I couldn’t already see such positive results. Thanks, Kate Beckinsale (and Bioeffect)!
Read more:
Your Skincare Routine Should Include Hyaluronic Acid
Everything You Need to Know About Anti-Aging Wrinkle Creams, According to an Expert
The Best Vitamin C Serums for Your Brightest Complexion
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Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and freelance writer. Prior to contributing to Biography, she served as Content Editor for Google and Beauty Editor for Best Products. Her work has also appeared in publications including CNN, WWD, Business Insider, Forbes, and Men's Health, among others.
