Everything You Need To Know About Growth Factors
Written by: Radhika Sen
Updated on: 30th September 2025
In the ever-evolving world of skincare, demand for regenerative, age-defying solutions continues to rise. Over the years, ingredients like vitamin C and retinoids have earned a loyal following, but a new frontier is creating a serious buzz: growth factors.
Once reserved for high-end formulations with a luxury price tag, growth factors are now making their way into more accessible biotech-driven skincare solutions. These biologically active proteins work at a cellular level to help repair and rejuvenate skin, making them one of the most exciting advances in modern skincare. With increasing consumer interest in science-led innovation, Medik8 is shaping how growth factors can be used in effective, results-driven formulations.
Understanding growth factors and what they do
Growth factors are naturally occurring signalling proteins found throughout the human body, particularly in the skin, blood, and connective tissues. They play a vital role in cell communication, helping to regulate processes like tissue repair and regeneration. By stimulating fibroblasts, growth factors encourage the production of collagen and elastin, two key proteins that maintain skin’s firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance.
What are growth factors in skincare?
Once reserved for medical settings to accelerate wound healing, growth factors have since gained momentum in regenerative skincare, becoming a hallmark of advanced, clinical-grade formulations. These biologically active proteins mimic the skin’s natural repair processes, encouraging rejuvenation and improved texture. When paired with treatments such as microneedling or laser resurfacing, they can accelerate recovery, amplify results, and optimise skin renewal - making growth factors an essential ally in age-defying routines.
However, traditional growth factors often struggle with poor stability and larger molecule size, limiting effective absorption into the skin. That’s why smaller, more stable innovations like Medik8’s Dual MiniProteins™ are changing the game, offering enhanced potency and deeper penetration to deliver visible, skin-rejuvenating results.
How do they work?
As we age, the body’s natural production of growth factors declines, slowing down skin repair and contributing to visible signs of ageing. When applied topically, growth factors help support the skin’s natural renewal cycle, working in several key stages:
It’s important to note that growth factors don’t work in isolation - they’re most effective when supported by complementary ingredients and treatments.
Types of growth factors in skincare
The best growth factors for skin are often modelled on those naturally found in the body. In skincare, they typically come from two main sources:
Human Growth Factors
These are bio-identical proteins produced in labs using cultured human cells. Common examples include:
✓ Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): Promotes skin regeneration and wound healing
✓ Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF): Stimulates collagen and elastin production
✓ Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF): Supports tissue repair
✓ Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF): Enhances cell growth and renewal
✓ Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β): Regulates inflammation and encourages skin remodelling
Non-Human Growth Factors
Sourced from plants, snails or synthetically engineered peptides, these offer a more stable, ethical alternative with similar regenerative benefits.
Are growth factors safe for skin?
Because the body naturally produces them, growth factors are generally considered safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin, though patch-testing new products is always recommended.
Concerns often focus on their origin. Early formulations were sometimes derived from animal or human tissue, raising safety and ethical questions. Today, most advanced skincare uses bio-identical or synthetic forms, carefully engineered for high purity, stability, and skin compatibility, helping to minimise irritation. Backed by clinical testing and dermatological expertise, advanced formulations such as Medik8’s Dual MiniProteins™ are designed for both stability and efficacy, ensuring safe integration into advanced routines. For personalised guidance, consulting a skincare professional is always a smart step.
Key benefits of using growth factors
Topically applied growth factors work in harmony with the skin’s natural processes to support regeneration, repair and overall skin health. Here’s how they can make a visible difference:
How to use growth factors
Growth factors are most effective in leave-on formats like serums, creams, and targeted treatments, where they have time to absorb deeply into the skin. Applied after cleansing and before moisturiser, they slip easily into either a morning or evening routine.
Because they layer so well with other actives, growth factors not only complement antioxidants, ceramides, and hydrating ingredients, but also supercharge the effects of vitamin C and sunscreen during the day, or vitamin A at night. This perfect synergy makes them a seamless addition to the CSA PhilosophyⓇ, helping to reinforce skin renewal and long-term resilience.
Of course, not all growth factor products are created equal. Stability and delivery systems are key to ensuring real results, and pairing them with proven actives like peptides, niacinamide, or hyaluronic acid can further target specific concerns. As with any potent skincare, patch testing is recommended, particularly for sensitive skin.
Medik8’s Dual MiniProteins™ take this science one step further, precisely engineered for exceptional skin affinity and bioavailability, so every application delivers visible, clinically proven benefits.
Medik8’s Growth Factor MiniProteins
Medik8’s Growth factor MiniProteins™ represent a breakthrough in peptide science. This bioengineered, non-human protein mimics the signalling of full-size growth factors, without the instability or bulk. Both of the MiniProteins found in our Liquid Peptides Advanced MP formula are anti-ageing heroes. Their compact size enables precise skin delivery and receptor binding, activating skin strengthening pathways that support natural collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid renewal for plumper, firmer, smoother-looking skin.
Engineered for superior penetration and enhanced stability, these mini proteins deliver clinically proven, dermatologist-approved results with low irritation. This innovation powers Medik8’s next-generation formulations, outperforming traditional growth factor products with precision, performance and proven skin rejuvenation.
Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream
Our latest advanced collagen formulation, Advanced Pro-Collagen+ Peptide Cream, is a day and night moisturiser, designed to promote optimal skin longevity. Featuring Growth Factor MiniProtein™, it visibly reduces the look of deep-set wrinkles while supporting the skin’s natural renewal processes. The result: visibly improved structure, smoother texture, and a more youthful appearance with every use.
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Liquid Peptides Advanced MP
Harnessing the power of Dual MiniProtein™, Liquid Peptides Advanced MP is expertly optimised for stability and deep skin delivery.
The Expression Line MiniProtein™ helps relax and smooth the appearance of dynamic expression lines, while the Growth Factor MiniProtein™ further supports the skin’s framework for lasting resilience.Integrated into a 30% multi-peptide complex, they work alongside 13 age-defying peptides to visibly target deep-set wrinkles with both fast and long-term effects.
The result is a breakthrough peptide innovation that delivers a filler-like effect on the look of wrinkles,* tackling their formation at the root.
*Proven via independent consumer study on Liquid Peptides Advanced MP conducted over 8 weeks on 91 participants.
The future of skin regeneration
Growth Factors are fast becoming the next big thing in skincare, offering cutting-edge, regenerative benefits that go beyond surface-level results. By supporting long-term skin health and rejuvenation from within, they play a vital role in reducing the visible signs of ageing. As a powerful booster ingredient, growth factors elevate any routine, enhancing results when paired with proven actives. With Medik8’s clinically proven innovation — including our advanced Dual MiniProteins™ technology — the future of age-defying skincare is already here.
FAQ's
Not necessarily, they work differently. Retinol boosts cell turnover, while growth factors support regeneration and collagen synthesis at a deeper level. Both are powerful age-defying ingredients and often work best when used together.
Growth factors can be introduced in your late 20s to early 30s, particularly as collagen production begins to decline. They’re ideal for those looking to proactively support skin structure and firmness.
Yes, by encouraging collagen and elastin production, growth factors help improve skin firmness and elasticity, visibly tightening the appearance of lax or sagging skin over time.
Absolutely. Growth factors can complement retinol beautifully, helping to enhance results while also supporting skin recovery. Just be sure to patch test and build up gradually if your skin is sensitive.
They’re not essential for everyone, but growth factors are a powerful addition to any advanced routine, especially for targeting signs of ageing. They work deeper in the skin to support long-term regeneration and resilience.
Growth factors pair well with:
- Peptides – for synergistic firming benefits
- Hyaluronic acid – to support hydration and delivery
- Vitamin C – to boost collagen synthesis and antioxidant protection
- Retinol – for enhanced regeneration and wrinkle reduction
Radhika Sen
Radhika Sen is a skincare enthusiast and beauty writer. She's always on the lookout for a stellar serum and moisturiser combination, topped by a sunscreen that protects and primes. Her idea of self care is to pop on a face mask, light a scented candle and call it an early night.