There are two types of people in this world—those who find a skincare routine that works for them and stick to it forever, and those who routinely experience beauty boredom and constantly look for the next best thing to try. If you identify with the latter group of people, then you might've come across progeline cream while on the hunt for something new to address all of your anti-aging concerns. But can this product actually address skin firmness and wrinkles? And what is progeline cream, anyway?
We took both of these questions and many more straight to the experts, who explain what progeline cream is made of, how progeline cream works (or doesn't), and if it provides any real benefits for the skin.
Meet the Expert
- Anna Guanche, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist, celebrity beauty expert, and founder of Bella Skin Institute in Calabasas, CA.
- Perry Romanowski is a cosmetic chemist, skincare formulator, and author of The Beauty Brains, a website for and by cosmetic chemists.
- Hannah Sivak, PhD, is a skincare scientist and founder of Skin Actives Scientific.
Keep scrolling to find out if this anti-aging product is one worth trying or if you should stick to your usual skincare routine.
Progeline Cream
Type of Ingredient: Hydrator
Main Benefits: Hydrates skin, acts as a humectant, could reduce signs of aging
Who should use it: Progeline cream is suitable for most skin types.
How often can you use it: It can be used daily.
Works well with: There aren't any available studies to show interactions with other ingredients.
Don’t use with: This ingredient hasn't been proven to interact with other ingredients.
What Is Progeline Cream?
Progeline is an ingredient by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics that's described as a biomimetic peptide derived from Elafin. More specifically, as Guanche says, "Progeline cream is a bio-engineered peptide that combines glycerin, water, dextran, and trifluoroacetyl tripeptide into one mixture."
Breaking down these ingredients, glycerin is a humectant that pulls moisture into the top layer of the skin, and dextran is a polysaccharide used in artificial tears and acts as a thickener, Sivak explains. According to Romanowski, glycerin, dextran, and water work as moisturizers and carrier ingredients in the formula. And as for the last ingredient mentioned, Sivak explains that trifluoroacetyl-tripeptide-2 is a fluorinated peptide.
What Is a Peptide?
Before we get into all that progeline cream is (or isn't), it's important to note the role of peptides in skincare. A peptide is a chain of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein, and can allegedly help stimulate collagen growth by tricking the skin into thinking it needs to produce more. But is that theory just a skincare myth, or are peptides in skincare effective for addressing visible signs of aging? According to recent studies, topical application of peptides has shown to provide anti-wrinkle benefits and increase skin elasticity.
While lab tests showcase the ingredient's promising effects, in Romanowski's opinion, this doesn't translate to actual products. "They show some potential, but I thinkmost of the products which feature peptides work no better than good moisturizers," Romanowski explains. "For the most part, if you have a moisturizer with and without a peptide, I do not believe consumers will notice any difference. Moisturizers themselves are effective at addressing signs of aging."
Benefits of Progeline Cream for Skin
If you search for information about progeline on the Lucas Meyer Cosmetics website, you’ll find a breakdown of the ingredient's mode of action: reduces progerin synthesis, inhibits MMPs and elastase, increases syndecan, and contracts collagen. Romanowski points out that while the manufacturer of the ingredient produces laboratory data, "I did not find any independent data to support the use of the product."
- Could potentially reduce signs of aging: Guanche saysthat it does have the effect of making skin appear firmer when applied, but it's difficult to know whether this is an immediate topical effect, or a long-term anti-aging effect, or both. However, "Reportedly, the peptide can help reduce signs of aging (wrinkles and sagging skin)," Romanowski explains. "They claim it does this by interacting with the skin biochemistry to reduce the synthesis ofprogerin and inhibit enzymes, like elastase, which can break down skin structure proteins. Of course, if your cosmetic actually did these things, that would make it an illegal drug."
- Adds hydration to the skin: Guanche notes, "Due to the glycerin and water content, the skin will be hydrated upon application, since glycerin is a humectant."
If you're now sufficiently confused about the difference between a cosmetic and a drug, here's how to differentiate the two. According to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, cosmetics are "articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance." As for drugs, those are defined by law as, "articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease" and "articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals."
Side Effects of Progeline Cream
Other than potentially wasting money on a product that might not give you the anti-aging benefits you're looking for, is there any harm in trying aprogelinecream? Romanowski argues that if these ingredients really did impact the body's biochemistry, you would be experimenting with an untested drug. "Without testing, you would have no way of knowing if it were safe to use on a daily basis," Romanowski says. "It could be completely harmless, or it could cause cancer. That is why testing is done on drug products.It is probably fine, but without testing, you can only guess." Sivak agrees and adds, "Dextran is inert. Water and glycerin are part of our daily lives. Fluorinated peptides are not, so you could say that people who sell progeline are experimenting on the people who buy these products."
Other Anti-Aging Ingredients to Try
Although the skin experts aren't convinced that progeline cream is the answer to all of your anti-aging prayers, you're not without options. But instead of potentially wasting time in the search for an under-the-radar miracle ingredient (not to mention a lot of money), go back to the basics. You might be a little surprised by Romanowski's top picks for anti-aging ingredients or products, which are, honestly, nothing extraordinary. Still, they work to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized to improve the appearance of dry, dull, wrinkly skin.
As Romanowski explained earlier, moisturizers on their own are effective at addressing the signs of aging. Glycerin (the humectant that we explored earlier in the article), mineral oil (an emollient moisturizer that smoothes, softens, and seals moisture into the skin), petrolatum (an occlusive that locks everything in and creates a barrier on the skin), and of course, a sunscreen (to protect your skin from extrinsic aging) are Romanowski's four anti-aging favorites. And the best part? All three ingredients mentioned are fairly inexpensive, easy to find, and significantly impact skin moisturization.
According to Sivak, quercetin and fisetin are also two ingredients to seek out for their anti-aging benefits. As Sivak explains, both ingredients are senolytics, which selectively eliminate senescent cells (cells that accumulate in aged skin and potentially drive the functional deterioration that characterizes aging skin) and could treat and prevent various age-related diseases.
FAQ
What Are Some Effective Anti-Aging Ingredients You Can Use in Lieu of Progeline Cream?
While progeline cream might not have clinical studies to back up its claims, ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C are known to reduce signs of aging by firming sagging skin, evening skin tone, and hyperpigmentation, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
(Video) Just 2 skin tightening and face lifting home remediesWhat Does Progeline Cream Do for Your Skin?
As a hydrating ingredient, progeline cream moisturizes the skin.
The 13 Best Anti-Aging Products of 2023
FAQs
Is progeline a real thing? ›
As we've briefly explained above, progeline is a peptide with a chain of amino acids jam-packed with proteins. Our body can naturally produce this, but it can enhance our skincare results when used as an ingredient in skincare products.
What does progeline do to your skin? ›The active ingredient in Progeline is trifluoroacetyl tripeptide. Progeline helps block the progerin from taking over, resulting in a healthier complexion able to replenish collagen. And, in turn, slows down your skin's aging process, reducing the visible signs of aging.
Do anti sagging creams work? ›As for the claim that a cream or lotion can lift sagging skin, dermatologists say that's not possible. A cream or lotion cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to do this. Still, you may see a small change if a product contains a retinoid, such as retinol, which can help your body make more collagen.
How do you block progerin naturally? ›The buildup of progerin, an abnormal protein, interferes with normal cell functions and can cause early cellular aging. A substance in broccoli called sulforaphane can help break down progerin.
What was the wrinkle cream on Shark Tank? ›Angellift - Reduces Facial Wrinkles - Shark Tank Products.
How can I reduce progerin in my skin? ›The combination of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs), statins and bisphosphonates, which reduce prenylation of progerin, are the best treatment strategy currently available to physicians, but only extend life by 1.6 years on average [17, 18]. Further, FTIs can induce a variety of noxious side effects.
Do skin firming treatments work? ›Does it work? The limited amount of research that we have on noninvasive skin tightening treatments would suggest that these treatments do work. While the results are not as dramatic as microdermabrasion, laser therapy, or surgical methods, these studies indicate that people do experience tighter skin.
Does collagen cream tighten skin? ›When you use ingredients to boost collagen and elastin, the skin looks firmer as the collagen binds your skin together more tightly, making it look less lax and thereby, reducing the appearance of dimples and sagging skin,” she explains.
Can sagging skin be firm again? ›Of course, you can't reverse the signs of aging completely. You can go the nonsurgical route and add firming creams or facial exercises to your skincare routine. There are also cosmetic procedures that provide quicker results, such as laser surfacing or ultrasound skin tightening.
Do any firming creams actually work? ›Most firming creams are a waste of money because the collagen and elastin in these products cannot fuse with the collagen and elastin in your skin to help rebuild or reinforce those structures. Their molecular sizes are too large to penetrate the skin's surface.
Can you really tighten saggy skin? ›
With non-surgical skin tightening, cosmetic surgeons can effectively tighten moderately lax or "crepey" skin on the face, neck and body, helping patients improve their appearance and postpone the need for surgery.
How can I plump up my saggy skin? ›- Exercise. Saggy skin on the body caused by moderate weight loss or pregnancy can be improved through exercise. ...
- Supplements.
- Topical treatments. Creams, lotions, and serums that contain ingredients such as retinol may improve elasticity around the eye area and on facial skin. ...
- Lifestyle changes.
As mentioned above, hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient for skin plumping. This gel-like substance exists naturally within the body but becomes less abundant as we age. By replenishing lost hyaluronic acid through your skincare routine, it's easier to maintain smooth, plump skin.
How can I firm up my plump skin? ›Load your plate with leafy greens, garlic, foods rich in Vitamin C and E, and eggs to plump your skin naturally. Loss of volume in your skin is also often caused due to dehydration, so don't forget to drink enough water to keep your skin hydrated. And that's it!
What blocks progerin? ›Metformin decreases progerin expression and alleviates pathological defects of Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome cells.
What increases progerin? ›Research data indicate that UVA induces progerin by alternative splicing of the LMNA gene transcript. Previous results showed that a short UVC ultraviolet radiation causes the alternative splicing of genes involved in apoptosis and cell proliferation [22].
What protein tightens Crepey skin? ›The formation of AGEs is another culprit of skin aging. So the more sugar you eat, the more AGEs your body produces. As just mentioned, collagen the protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic is the most abundant protein in your body.
What does Jennifer Lopez use for wrinkles? ›After washing off her makeup, she uses That JLo Glow Serum, That Blockbuster Hydrating Cream, and That Fresh Take Eye Cream, all from her eponymous brand. She also revealed that she uses the eye cream on her 11s, her smile lines, and even on her neck: "anywhere that needs a little extra love."
What wrinkle cream does Jennifer Lopez use? ›That JLo Glow Serum (Shop in U.S.)
$79 at Sephora U.S. Sharing her skincare secrets in an IGTV video posted on Monday, the "Marry Me" star calls the anti-aging serum her "old faithful." This stuff is "magic in a bottle," a bare-faced Jennifer tells the camera.
Jennifer Aniston Anti Aging Serum, Reju Skin Serum Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Aniston Serum (1 PCS)
How do I get my face back younger? ›
- Stay out of the sun. While it's true that the sun isn't the only factor in the overall appearance of your skin, it does play a huge role. ...
- Drink plenty of water. ...
- Get some ZZZs. ...
- Rub it in. ...
- Eat a diet rich in plants. ...
- Get moving. ...
- Limit alcohol and caffeine.
Wash with a gentle, fragrance-free, moisturizing bar soap, cleanser, or body wash. Doing so will help soothe rather than dry your skin. Moisturizing ingredients that can help reduce dryness include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and lanolin. Use warm (not hot) water.
What makes a woman look younger? ›Skin brightening treatments, like Microdermabrasion, Light Peels, Micro Laser Peels, or the Clear & Brilliant Laser treatment all help patients to look 10 years younger or more, with just a few treatments. These treatments can be used in order to combat the signs of aging in the face, such as: Wrinkles. Age spots.
Is there a product that actually tightens skin? ›Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream
Apply it as the last step in a nightly routine to lock in moisture and keep skin feeling hydrated as it tightens the skin. Not only is it a dermatologist-approved drugstore beauty product, but shoppers on Amazon love it, too (there are over 9,000 five-star ratings!).
“In general, it can take anywhere from weeks to months—even years,” says Dr. Chen. If after one to two years skin is still loose, it may not get any tighter, she says.
What is the spray from Germany that tightens your skin? ›The Hyaluron Spray makes the skin appear even and radiant after the first applications. Wrinkles can be permanently reduced and the imminent formation of wrinkles can be inhibited. The spray has a skin tightening and revitalizing effect and supports the skin's moisture-binding capacity.
What is the most effective skin tightening? ›Laser resurfacing This is the most effective procedure for tightening loose skin. Unlike the laser treatment described above, this procedure requires some downtime. You'll need to stay home for 5 to 7 days. Laser resurfacing also gives you the fastest results.
How can a 70 year old woman look younger? ›Practice Good Self-Care to Prevent Aging Skin
In addition to sleeping on Blissy silk pillowcases, taking good care of your health can help you look and feel younger as you age. This involves eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and making sure to get enough sleep.
Vitamins A, C and E
Vitamin A helps to hydrate the lower layer of skin, vitamin C preserves and protects skin-firming fibers such as collagen and elastin, and vitamin E safeguards skin from sun damage. To employ this powerful protection for your skin, eat more leafy greens and colorful fruits and vegetables.
If you have sagging around the jawline, chin and neck, one of the best and most long-lasting treatments is surgery. A surgical procedure eliminates the excess skin and tissues contributing to the sagging, and tightens the remaining tissue and skin, leaving you with a taut, younger-looking jawline, chin and neck.
What tightens skin naturally? ›
- Banana. Bananas are rich in potassium, vitamins, and natural oils. ...
- Cucumber. Cucumber helps retain elastin and hyaluronic acid which are necessary to maintain firm skin. ...
- Pineapple. ...
- Aloe Vera. ...
- Coffee grounds scrub. ...
- Honey.
How vitamin D deficiency leads to accelerated skin aging isn't fully understood. However, some experts suspect it has something to do with vitamin D's protective and antioxidant properties on the skin.
How do you make sagging skin look tight and lifted? ›- Firming creams. A good choice for a firming cream is one that contains retinoids, says Dr. Alyson Wells, owner and medical director, Valley Plastic Surgery and Medi-spa. ...
- Supplements. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Lose weight. ...
- Massage the area. ...
- Cosmetic procedures.
While the aging process can't be reversed, you can dramatically reduce jowls with the following procedures: Facelift (surgical) Neck lift (surgical) Laser resurfacing using needles to reach treatment areas (minimally-invasive procedure with five to seven days of downtime)
How can I make my skin thicker and tighter? ›Using creams that contain vitamin A, also known as retinol or retinoids, may help to prevent skin from thinning further. Retinol creams are available in drugstores or online as cosmetic products. Research published in 2018 suggests that in some cases retinol may help to normalize skin thickness.
Which serum is best for plumping skin? ›Our best overall pick is Farmacy Filling Good Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum, a fast-acting serum that works instantly to plump up fine lines, adding volume to skin. It contains a blend of hyaluronic acids and has a milky texture for fast absorption.
Why is my skin not as plump? ›WHY IS MY SKIN NOT PLUMP? As our skin ages, the production of collagen and elastin in the skin decreases and we begin to lose more than we produce. These two proteins are integral to the skin's structure and their depletion can result in sagging, fine lines, wrinkles and generally tired looking skin.
How do you plump up deep wrinkles? ›Plump Up With Moisturizer
With age, skin becomes drier, making wrinkles stand out more. Bring that moisture back to fight the fine lines. Look for a moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, which pulls in water and plumps the skin, says Joshua Zeichner, MD.
Sunken cheeks can be addressed via facial rejuvenation treatments designed to add youthful contours. Because hollow cheeks are the result of volume loss, restoring volume offers the most successful cosmetic outcomes. The most popular outpatient treatment is injectable fillers, also commonly called dermal fillers.
What is progeline found in? ›Progeline is an ingredient by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics that's described as a biomimetic peptide derived from Elafin. More specifically, as Guanche says, "Progeline cream is a bio-engineered peptide that combines glycerin, water, dextran, and trifluoroacetyl tripeptide into one mixture."
What on earth is progeline? ›
First, as always, INCI, the list of ingredients that tells you what's in there. Progeline is a trade name for an ingredient that contains glycerin, water, dextran (a polysaccharide used in artificial tears) plus a fluorinated peptide, trifluoroacetyl-tripeptide-2.
Can sagging skin reversed? ›Of course, you can't reverse the signs of aging completely. You can go the nonsurgical route and add firming creams or facial exercises to your skincare routine. There are also cosmetic procedures that provide quicker results, such as laser surfacing or ultrasound skin tightening.
What does progerin do to the body? ›Progestins work by causing changes in the uterus. After the amount of progestins in the blood drops, the lining of the uterus begins to come off and vaginal bleeding occurs (menstrual period). Progestins help other hormones start and stop the menstrual cycle. .
Does progerin cause wrinkles? ›Progeria is a rare genetic condition that causes rapid aging in children. A tiny genetic mutation causes the disease. Progeria causes signs of aging such as balding and wrinkled skin. The condition is always fatal.
What pills make you look younger? ›- Curcumin. Curcumin — the main active compound in turmeric — has been shown to possess powerful cellular protective properties, which are attributed to its potent antioxidant effects. ...
- EGCG. ...
- Collagen. ...
- CoQ10. ...
- Nicotinamide riboside and nicotinamide mononucleotide. ...
- Crocin. ...
- Vitamin C.
Progeline™ is a revolutionary biomimetic peptide that allows the skin to modulate progerin, to result in a complete remodeling effect and reduction of the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
Does progerin increase with age? ›Progerin is a shortened, toxic form of lamin A that accumulates with age and is exacerbated in those with progeria.
What is the best treatment to tighten skin? ›Laser resurfacing This is the most effective procedure for tightening loose skin. Unlike the laser treatment described above, this procedure requires some downtime. You'll need to stay home for 5 to 7 days. Laser resurfacing also gives you the fastest results.
What is the best facial for tightening skin? ›GOOD Face Tightening Options | BETTER Face Tightening Options | BEST Face Tightening Options |
---|---|---|
Dermal Fillers | Laser Treatments | Silhouette Instalift |
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers | ThermiTight | |
Sculptra | Ultherapy | |
Thermage |
The Kardashians star, who has unabashedly admitted to caring about looking good, recently underwent a skin-tightening procedure called the Morpheus8 Microneedling Fractional Treatment. "This is a game changer," the Skims founder touted on Instagram Stories Aug.