What To Know About Skincare Ingredient EGF

Incorporating the correct skincare ingredients in your routine can be the difference between healthy and unhealthy skin. If you want your skin to look and feel as healthy as possible, creating a routine with ingredients tailored to your needs and skin type is essential. 

GlobalSpa explains that knowing all of the information behind your skincare products' ingredients is a newer skincare trend that serves to make consumers more conscious about what they are putting on their skin. Previously, consumers relied on brands and companies telling us what worked and what didn't. Nowadays, it's easy to research what ingredients you need to fit in with your skin goals, and the increase in consumer knowledge has led to a wider variety of available options than before.

One skincare ingredient that has made headlines recently due to the popularity of its benefits is EGF. While EGF may not be as popular as other skincare heroes like salicylic acid or niacinamide, it's still a common ingredient you can easily find in mainstream skincare products. For anyone looking to expand their skincare collection, EGF is one ingredient you need to have on your radar.

Using EGF is as simple as using any other skincare ingredient in your drawer. Herbal Dynamics Beauty suggests using a serum or cream with EGF to help add its benefits to your routine. When using it in a serum or cream, apply it after removing all makeup and cleansing your skin. Then apply the EGF product onto damp skin. Wait until the product has been absorbed before sealing it with a moisturizer.

Dr. Björn Örvar, co-founder and chief scientific officer of BIOEFFECT, explains to Coveteur, "We recommend always applying the EGF serum first, on clean skin, and allowing 5–10 minutes before applying anything else on top [to] give it time to activate the skin cells and do its magic." Örvar also suggests using your EGF serum in the evening versus in the daytime. This suggestion is based on the fact that cell turnover happens at night, so combining EGF will maximize these effects. Similarly to retinol, also ensure you are using sunscreen the next day for the ultimate protection of your skin.

Although EGF sounds like a miracle ingredient, there are a few things to note before using it. One reason why many are wary of EGF is due to the lack of information that exists on possible side effects. Because EGF only recently became a popular skincare ingredient, not much is known about how it can affect you in the long term. Dermatologist Dr. Deirdre Hooper tells Today, "We don't have robust or long-term studies to say what happens if you keep applying something that causes you to grow, because it can cause a growth that you [may not want]. For example, you can grow [additional] blood vessels, which [can] result in more redness." Because EGF is still new, you should include it slowly in your routine.

The lack of information surrounding EGF is one of the only downsides of using EGF products. While it may seem a small price to pay for healthy skin, not knowing the long-term side effects of EGF is risky. Alicia Yoon, the founder of Peach & Lily, warns via Into the Gloss, "EGF, like parabens, is surrounded by some controversial talk but still has an avid, almost cult-like, following by those who have tried EGF-infused products. It all really depends on your risk tolerance for ingredients without substantial research on their potential hazards — and I would say that this doesn't apply to just beauty products, but the heaps of toxins we're exposed to and even eating on a daily basis."