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10 Growth Factor Serums That Will Smooth Wrinkles and Texture, According to Experts
It’s like a time machine in a bottle.
In 2025, everyone is talking about exosomes and what they might do for anti-aging and hair growth. When it comes to improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and boosting hair growth, exosomes are potent forces. That’s partially because they’re packed with growth factors, which are made of peptides that help your body stimulate cell proliferation and heal wounds. When growth factors are whipped into serums, they can do incredible things for your skin care routine, too.
“Growth factor serums contain ingredients that signal various mechanisms in the skin to repair cellular damage and promote the induction of collagen and elastin,” says dermatologist Dr. Claire Wolinsky. When you use growth factor serums, they may lead to plumper, tighter skin.
If you’re looking for an extra tightening boost for your skin care routine (without turning to neurotoxins like Botox), it might be a good idea to try using a growth factor serum. Below, we rounded up the ten best growth factor serums out there, based on editor favorites and rave online reviews.
Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma
Pros
- Plumps and mimics natural responses
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
You can’t get a PRP injection at home, but this growth factor-packed serum gets pretty close. Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Instafacial Plasma is made with growth factors that closely resemble those found in our bodies. It’s also made with sodium hyaluronate to plump and hydrate skin while it stimulates.
Key ingredients: Bioengineered human identical growth factors, sodium hyaluronate
Skin types: Mature, dry
Bluemercury rating: 4.6/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “I am convinced this serum is made with magic. It works so well to plump skin and make it feel firmer and more elastic. I’ve gone through two bottles (which is big for me, as someone who never finishes skin care).”—Katie Berohn
Pros
- Leaves the skin feeling dewy
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons
- Some dislike the lightweight consistency
Along with its anti-aging and plumping benefits, this serum is ideal for anyone seeking a glow. Thanks to hyaluronic acid, it deeply hydrates and leaves behind a beautiful sheen to the skin. It’s also formulated for sensitive or damaged skin seeking a speedy recovery.
Key ingredients: Epidermal growth factor, hyaluronic acid, peptides
Skin types: All
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this incredibly affordable serum. I’ve been using it twice a day, and it feels great on my skin. Most growth factor serums are so expensive, so the price on this [one] is incredible.”
Pros
- Physician-tested
- Lightweight texture
Cons
- Results may not be obvious at first
While it complements your Botox and other neurotoxin injections, you can also use this serum by itself as an alternative to wrinkle-erasing treatments. The formula is bursting with peptides, niacinamide, and a gentle chemical exfoliator (PHA) to blur fine lines and wrinkles and encourage the skin to appear smoother and brighter.
Key ingredients: Peptides, PHA, niacinamide, laminaria extract
Skin types: Mature, dull, dehydrated
Dermstore rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Dermstore reviewer says: “I’ve been using SkinCeuticals P-TIOX for about a month now, and my skin is definitely seeing the benefits. The texture feels smoother, and the fine lines around my eyes have softened. My complexion also looks brighter and more even. The serum absorbs super fast and leaves my skin feeling hydrated and refreshed—no greasy residue at all. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was doing anything because it’s so lightweight, but I’m really loving how silky it feels. I apply it before my moisturizer, and it’s made a noticeable difference in reducing expression lines, especially on my forehead. If you’re on the hunt for something to smooth out your skin and give it a healthy glow, I highly recommend this serum. It’s definitely worth the investment!”
Pros
- Effective ingredients
Cons
- Pump can be finicky
“This is an OG and is meant to be used twice a day. It has a growth factor blend and peptides,” says dermatologist Dr. Lal. By far, the SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum is one of the best-reviewed and expert-recommended growth factor serums available. Dr. Wolinsky adds, “SkinMedica TNS Advanced is one of the most supported skin care products on the market. Derived from neonatal skin, there is data supporting growth factors can induce collagen production with long-term use, and many patients report noting their skin texture looks better after three months of use.”
Key ingredients: Human fibroblast conditioned media, peptides, shea butter, glycerin, whey protein
Skin types: Mature
Dermstore rating: 4.3/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “A friend of mine was complaining to me that she was experiencing neck wrinkles and didn’t know what to do about them. I gave her this serum to try, and she noticed major improvement after using it consistently over the course of a few months.”—Katie Berohn, beauty editor
Plated SkinScience Daily Serum
Pros
- Uses newer technologies
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- Can take some time to absort
If you’re looking for the newest skin care technology, Plated bottled it up. “This is brand new and has the latest technology with human platelet-derived growth factors and antioxidants. This is pricey, but it is truly the forefront of skin care,” says Dr. Lal. Along with its plumping properties, it also has calming ingredients that can help reduce redness. The brand’s upcoming eye serum won an ELLE Future of Beauty Award.
Key ingredients: Renewosomes, antioxidants, collagen, human platelet extract, glycerin
Skin types: All
Plated SkinScience rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Beauty Expert says: “I’ve been using Plated Intense serum for about three weeks now. While it may be too soon to give true results, one thing I have noticed is that I may go to bed with redness from a pimple, but when I wake up, the redness is gone. One thing to note is that you must regularly exfoliate with this product due to the rapid cell turnover. I’ve noticed my skin looking duller since beginning the product—a key warning sign to exfoliate.”—Danielle James, beauty expert
epi.Logic Master Plan Collagen Renew Growth Factor Serum
Pros
- Shows hydrating effects quickly
- Can treat a range of skin issues
Cons
- Can take a few days to see a difference
This collagen-packed serum not only helps combat signs of aging, but can also dramatically improve skin texture and hyperpigmentation. It’s also very effective at speeding up the skin’s healing process, either post-procedure or after a breakout. Curious for more? Check out ELLE's full review of the epi.Logic Growth Serum.
Key ingredients: Cell service, peptides, hyaluronic acid, sea kelp
Skin types: All
Epi.Logic rating: 4.9/5 stars
An expert reviewer previously said: “With consistent use of the Master Plan Serum, my skin is brighter, tighter, and more evenly toned. My hormonal blemishes have a shorter life span and leave fewer PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) spots. My skin looks and feels more hydrated, healthy, and even more balanced.” –Shani Hillian, ELLE.com contributor
The Inkey List 15% Vitamin C + EGF Serum
Pros
- Has multiple skin care benefits
- Affordable
Cons
- Can feel sticky on the skin
The benefits of vitamin C are well-known to include brightening and fading of dark marks. This affordable option also includes an epidermal growth factor to add even more plumping and anti-aging benefits. “This has a true peptide and vitamin C , which further helps brighten the skin,” adds Dr. Lal.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, epidermal growth factor
Skin types: All
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love this incredibly affordable serum. I’ve been using it twice a day, and it feels great on my skin. Most growth factor serums are so expensive, so the price on this is incredible.”
Pros
- More affordable than other options
Cons
- Takes time to see results
If you’ve been to a dermatologist or esthetician for a specialized treatment, you know that post-care is extremely important. This serum uses growth factors and plumping ingredients to expedite and support your skin’s natural healing process, leading to better results.
Key ingredients: Epidermal growth factor, collagen, hyaluronic acid
Skin types: Post-procedure, mature, dull
Skin Actives rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Skin Actives reviewer says: “My skin loves this product and heals 10 times faster after a breakout or a treatment. I really like this serum’s consistency and ease of absorption. It works great with the rest of my skin care routine and never pills or interferes with my makeup.”
Pros
- Adds a glow to the skin
Cons
- Takes time to see results
As we age and collagen breaks down, drooping and sagging skin become pain points. Specifically formulated to battle that process, this serum uses a combination of ingredients that not only help reverse signs of aging in the long term but also add a glow for immediate improvement.
Key ingredients: Peptides, yeast extract, copper complex, squalane
Skin types: Post-procedure, mature, dull
Dermaesthetics rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Dermaesthetics reviewer says: “My skin looks great! After using this product consistently for a week, I can already see that I’m more hydrated, and my skin is smoother and less red!”
Pros
- Tackles multiple skin complaints
Cons
- Takes time to see results
Along with fine lines, dullness in the skin is one of the biggest complaints about aging. This serum uses a combination of plumping, hydrating, and anti-aging ingredients to return radiance to the skin.
Key ingredients: Epidermal growth factor, peptides, hyaluronic acid
Skin types: Mature, dull, dry
Dermstore rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Dermstore says: “I really liked this. I haven’t used peptides in 10 years. I’m always dealing with hypersensitive skin, rosacea, and dehydration. I used this and only a vitamin C serum. My skin looked perfect everyday. Of course, I’m constantly tweaking my regimen a little, not much, and do skin treatments, so that can play a role. I had a ResurFX treatment a couple weeks before, but used this following [it] for healing. The sample lasted a few weeks. No moisturizer. My skin [was] glowing and didn’t need extra hydration.”
Meet the Experts
Dr. Karan Lal is a double-board certified adult and pediatric dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist based in Manhattan, New York.
Dr. Ben Johnson is a physician and the founder of Osmosis Beauty.
What are growth factor serums?
If the name sounds intimidating, you’re not alone. However, you may already be using a product that contains these powerful ingredients. “Growth factor serums are products that contain various types of peptides that stimulate cell turnover, stimulate production, and improve skin quality and skin tone. They act similarly to the naturally produced peptides that serve as growth factors in our skin,” says Dr. Lal.
It’s important to know that these growth factors are already present in our skin naturally. Dr. Johnson explains, “Some serums that contain just a few of these peptides get them from labs that make them using bacteria or yeast cells. Most growth factor serums use human stem cells and/or fibroblasts–both found in the skin–that are encouraged in a lab to make their own growth factors. This process is ideal because over 600 different peptides can be made at the same time and mimics what the skin does.”
What do growth factor serums do?
While many of us know about the anti-aging benefits of retinol, growth factor serums are disrupting the idea that reducing the appearance of fine lines and other signs of aging has to come with harsh side effects. “[Growth factor serums] can boost collagen production and repair prior cellular UV damage, leading to overall improvement of fine lines and skin texture,” says Dr. Wolinsky.
Who should be using growth factor serums?
If you are concerned about signs of aging or skin damage, you may see strong results after incorporating growth factor serums into your routine. However, generally, these products are safe for everyone to use. “Growth factors are best for patients in their 40s as this is when collagen loss starts to be noticeable and skin appears more lax. Of course, they can be used in the 20s as a preventative treatment, but I think it’s best to start these types of products in the 40s,” says Dr. Lal.
“I recommend growth factors to anyone who can’t tolerate retinoids but is looking for an anti-aging product. There is a lot of variability in the quality of these growth factors, so it’s very important to look for clinical data supporting their efficacy,” adds Dr. Wolinsky.
Are growth factor serums safe?
While growth factor serums are considered safe, like with many newer ingredients in skin care products, some concerns have been raised. “There is some research suggesting that turning on certain cellular signaling cells can lead to proliferation of atypical cells and actually increase [the] risk of certain skin cancers. This is very controversial,” says Dr. Wolinsky.
Dr. Lal added, “Growth factor serums do not cause cancer.” However, if you have any concerns, it’s always important to speak with your physician to make the safest choice for yourself.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE editors spoke with experts and industry leaders about the benefits of growth factor serums and pored over reviews for dozens of others, evaluating each on their features and customer feedback.
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