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Understanding Growth Factors: What They Are and How They Work in Skincare

Amir Karam MD Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Founder / Creator of KaramMD Skin

What happens to the skin as it ages? Collagen production decreases, so you see lines, wrinkles, laxity, and dull skin. If we don’t stimulate collagen production as we age, our skin starts to look older and duller–the skin is on a downward slope.


So, how do growth factors fit into boosting collagen? Are growth factors an essential ingredient in your skincare routine?

How growth factors work

Growth factors are proteins naturally produced and found in the body that stimulate cell growth and function. They trigger cells to divide, grow, and produce collagen, the basic building block of skin. These proteins also bind to cell receptors and communicate crucial messages, such as “produce collagen” or “create more elastin.” These are called “fibroblasts.”


Aging causes us to lose about 1% of our fibroblasts and 1% of our skin’s thickness yearly. The age-related loss of fibroblasts produces fewer new cells, less collagen, and fewer growth factors. The remaining fibroblasts are also less sensitive to the growth factors present, resulting in thinner, wrinkled skin.


When applied topically, growth factors help improve the appearance of aging skin by reversing some of the reduced cell growth and collagen production. These collagen stimulants target fibroblast production and trigger collagen growth at the cellular level. Increased collagen production thickens the skin and reduces wrinkling to minimize the effects of aging-related changes and keep the skin strong and smooth.

Growth factors are an important ingredient in your skincare routine

The purpose of growth factors in skincare is to act as a healing agent that encourages cells to produce components that:


  • Improve skin firmness and elasticity
  • Strengthen the skin barrier
  • Repair and rejuvenate skin

Skincare products that get down to the cellular level and trigger the cells that boost collagen production can turn on the collagen “engine” and rebuild collagen growth over time. The entire reason for putting skincare products on your face is to get your cells to produce collagen again.


When I formulated the Trifecta, I wanted to develop a product that stimulated collagen for the long run and was easy to use daily to reverse collagen loss over time. I added Hibiscus Extract into our formulation which shields the skin from oxidative stress, and serves as a protection of growth factors. 

The Trifecta

It is so important to stay consistent with the KaramMD Trifecta because the longer you use it, the better results you will see. We simplified your skincare routine so you can start it… and stay on it forever!

I built these products around the core concept of getting the body to produce collagen again at a new level. The Trifecta daily skincare routine involves three easy steps:


  1. RINSE: A gentle cleanser that softens and hydrates the skin to boost cell regeneration and collagen production, prevent UV damage, and prepare the skin to absorb active skincare ingredients.
  2. QUENCH: An anti-inflammatory, brightening vitamin C serum that minimizes fine lines and prevents collagen breakdown in the skin.
  3. ILLUMINATE: The all-in-one anti-aging cream that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, improving skin elasticity, reducing signs of age, deeply hydrating, and firming the skin for a supple, youthful glow.

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2 comments


  • KaramMD Customer Support Team

    Hi Tracey,

    Thank you for reaching out! The Trifecta does not contain growth factors in its ingredient list. However the Illuminate does contain FGF-2- Fibroblast, an ingredient botanically derived from Hibiscus Seed Extract that supports and aids your skin’s naturally occurring growth factors.


  • Tracey

    I was reading about the Trifecta and plant growth factors (also heard the little video). Are the growth factors in the products small enough to actually enter the cell of the skin or do they work on the surface only? It was mentioned that they stimulate fibroblast cell production so I assumed they went to the cell..thank you!

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