While I love a good skincare routine, I’m a big proponent of using them as a supplement to in-office procedures. That being said, not everyone can afford to see a dermatologist for elective procedures that are not covered by insurance, which is why, to me, the growth of medical-grade, over-the-counter skincare products makes so much sense. It’s also why EGF—or epidermal growth factor—serums are having a moment right now.
EGFs have actually been around since the '60s, so they're definitely tried and tested, and backed by skincare professionals. As board-certified dermatologist Kseniya Kobets, MD, explains, “Epidermal growth factors are naturally occurring signaling proteins that help regulate skin repair. Think of it this way: EGFs work from the top layer of the skin down, while something like an FGF (or fibroblast growth factor) works on the inverse, at the dermis level on fibroblasts.”
