Q: What are your thoughts on these new expensive creams that claim to have ‘’stem cells” in them?
A: There are actually two types of claims that these “stem cell” creams make: the first is that they contain stem cells, and the second is that they stimulate stem cells already in the skin.
As for the first, some skin creams contain substances derived from embryonic or adult stem cells, but none that I know of contain active human stem cells. Others claim to contain apple and other plant-derived stem cells. However, I have not seen any convincing proof that these stem cells survive the lag between the time they are packaged and the time they are applied to the skin. (Remember that some skin creams spend months on the shelf or in the warehouse before they are purchased.) If any of the stem cells did survive this process, it is unknown whether they can penetrate into the skin or if they can release any beneficial substances. It is doubtful that any of the stem cell-containing creams currently on the market can actually deliver active stem cells into the dermal layer of the skin.
As for creams that claim to “stimulate skin stem cells,” well, guess what? Many of them do, and this is nothing new. There’s absolutely nothing groundbreaking about stimulating those stem cells. Anything that speeds up cell division is actually stimulating the stem cells to divide. Retinoids, glycolic acid, lactic acid, or even a simple exfoliating scrub turns on the stem cells and entices them to divide. Getting a cut on your finger stimulates stem cells to divide to heal it.
Stem cells certainly will become important in skin rejuvenation in the future, but it will be years before we can truly use stem cell technology to make skin look younger. Until then, don’t believe the hype. Save your money.
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