Defenage is a high-end, revolutionary, rejuvenating skincare brand. The products are supposed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and pore size, even out the skin tone, regulate oil production, improve hydration and firm the skin.
How DefenAge offers a new approach to combat skin aging
Most of Anti-aging skincare products that we have now work by simulating the skinโs aged cells to work harder, which still is beneficial in renewing the skin however these cells become damaged and tired over time. What Defenage products are offering is that instead of simulating old existing cells, they act upon the Master stem cells that have rarely been turned on and used before so they are fresh and undamaged.
These Master stem cells are located in the hair follicle bulge, are most of the time dormant and normally only come to action when the skin is injured. In case of skin injury, human body naturally expresses defensins and defensins act as messengers and send signals and activate the dormant LGR6+ stem cells to repair the damaged tissue.
How Defenage products simulate Master stem cells
Through Age Repair Defensins! By topical application of Defenage products we are sending outsider Alpha-defensin 5s into the skin to trick these master cells that they need to migrate into the basal layer of the skin and start making fresh epidermal cells. This will result in improved skin barrier function and hydrated skin; increased dermal and epidermal thickness and less fine lines; and decrease oiliness, pore size and pigmentation.
How well are the Defenage products formulated
“DefenAge uses a patented formulation that uses albumin, a large and stable protein, to stabilize defensin and act as a carrier molecule while helping the defensin maintain its integrity and extend shelf life in the serum base. The albumin/defensin complex is incorporated into liposomes to prevent other ingredients in the cosmetic base from interacting with the peptide and to enhance delivery to the LGR6+ target cell.โ Dr. Leslie S. Baumann. Also the defensins penetrate the skin through the hair follicle route which is much easier.
Clinical studies
Defenage completed 14 clinical studies to establish the safety and efficacy of their products. For their most comprehensive clinical study:
1. They conducted double-blinded placebo-controlled study in 3 different sites.
2. The participant used the whole system (trio).
3. Even the placebo group got to use the same products just without the defensins.
4. To evaluate the results they used medical imaging along, punch biopsy and high-resolution skin ultrasound
5. They measured transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, pigmentation, skin hydration, evenness, pores, and oiliness.
6. The results of the comprehensive clinical study are published in peer reviewed journals.
2-MINUTE REVEAL MASQUE
This mask is a creamy resurfacing mask which contains 3 type of exfoliating ingredients: chemical (Lactic acid), physical (ultra fine sugar crystals) and enzymatic (papaya, papain, pumpkin ferment extract, and pomegranate enzyme). Though it also contains some soothing ingredients, the mask is not recommended for sensitive skin or to be used on active acne. You need to apply a small amount, wait 2 min and moisten your fingers and massage until the sugar crystals are dissolved. I use the mask twice a week, since my skin gets irritated easily, one day I fully massage it and get the benefits of physical exfoliation and for the next time I spread it gently over my face and just use it as a regular mask. It is not drying and leaves my skin super smooth, bright and radiant.
24/7 BARRIER BALANCE CREAM
The Barrier Balance Cream is a light lotion/cream, it is potent with the famous alpha defensin-5 and beta defensin-3 that we talked about, plus Niacinamide, antioxidants, and 2 other interesting active complexes: Ophiopogon Japonicus Root Extract which is rich in fructosans ensures an effective barrier function by activating the keratinocyte differentiation process and by reinforcing the cohesion in the upper layers of the epidermis. Moreover, this active ingredient boosts the synthesis of epidermal lipids and optimizes their organization; and Hydrolyzed Candida Saitoana Extract, Rich in ฮฑ-glucans,it minimizes the accumulation of lipofuscin aggregates and thereby contributes to cell and tissue longevity.
Iโve been using the trio for about 2 months, during the first month I only used the Defenage cream and serum twice a day, two pumps is enough for my entire face (do not use less than the recommended amount). For the second month I added the African Botanics Retinal cream and applied it before the Defenage cream and serum every night. Not only the products work well with retinoids, I believe the addition of retinoid could actually boost the efficiency of Defenage products (I wish someone would do a clinical study on this).
Initially my skin reacted to the new products, pink skin and 2 pimples on my break out prone area (chin), It took 2 weeks until it adjusted to the products. The cream is light and feels nice, the scent is a little too much for my taste (they have a fragrance-free version). It is not oily, absorbs fast and leaves your skin super hydrated and glowy without being greasy.
8-IN-1 BIOSERUM
The serum contains a much higher concentrations of Age-Repair Defensins (Alpha-Defensin 5, Beta-Defensin 3) comparing to the cream. It also is rich in Niacinamide, antioxidants, Sinorhizobium Meliloti Ferment Filtrate which acts on keratinocytes by the stimulation of hyaluronic acid and laminin-5 synthesis and induces chain reaction down to dermal fibroblasts (elastin synthesis); and 2 other types of peptides: Matrixyl Syntheโ6 which stimulates six major constituents of the skin matrix and the dermal-epidermal junction (Collagen types I, III, IV ; Fibronectin, Hyaluronic acid and Laminin-5 which anchors the epidermis to the dermis; and L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine, a revolutionary dipeptide designed to help bodies rehydrate, replenish.
The serum is gel like, it absorbs fast and wears great under makeup, you have to apply the serum after the cream which is not usual and the reason to do this is that the serum contains a much higher concentrations of defensins (Alpha-Defensin 5, Beta-Defensin 3) comparing to the cream. Beta-defensin-3s start working instantly and they cause the junctions in the skin to tighten up which is great for preventing water loss but it means that as soon as you put the serum on your skin, the conjunctions are shut and any other product that you apply after the serum can not penetrate the skin! So always consider this serum as the last step of your routine (before sunscreen).
The combination of the cream and serum leave my skin incredibly smooth, firm and radiant. The thing that is very noticeable, even after a few weeks of using, is the tightening effect and smaller-looking pores! The products regulates oil production and improve skin elasticity which both contribute to smaller pores and firmer skin. I do not have lots of wrinkles so I can not comment how the products perform on deeper lines; however, the skin under my eyes, which is super thin, is more plump now and the fine lines are less noticeable (the serum is safe to be used under the eyes, avoid eyelids). You can use the line with Retinoids and Vitamin C but whatever your routine is put on the serum as the last step.
In summary, Defenage employs the latest generation of anti-aging technology; the target-specific Age-Repair defensins. The products are backed up by clinical studies and recommended by many plastic surgeons and dermatologists. They work on any skin type and help thicken the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles; regulate the skin oil and significantly reduces the pore size and leave your skin plump, smooth and glowy. Not only the DefenAge products firm the skin & tighten pores instantly, you can also see significant improvements in your skin in the long run, these products are gradually changing my skin type from combination to normal! just keep using them & wait to see for yourself!
I recommend the trio to everyone specially people who are starting to see fine lines, people with crepey thin skin, and if you have acne-prone skin this line is a must!
You can use the bioserum serum with other moisturizers as well; however, Iโve noticed that these products work in synergy with each other, so I highly recommend that you use the moisturizer & serum together to see the optimum results. โฃ
**After a study by Diane Duncan, M.D, she concluded that by using DefenAge 8-in-1 BioSerum about 48 hours after microneedling therapy we see smoother outcomes, faster healing and improved skin quality with fewer side effects when compared to similar use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).โ
** A 2018 study compared the action of defensin peptides, which are the active ingredient in DefenAge, against retinoic acid. This study showed that DefenAge rejuvenates facial skin similar to cosmetic retinoic acid, without the irritation.
Read my review of the DefenAge 3D Eye Radiance Cream here.
Rating: 9/10
*Gifted
Reference
https://www.doctorjaneolson.com/microneedling-plus-defenage-revitalizes-skin-faster-prp/
https://jddonline.com/articles/dermatology/S1545961618P0426X/14
https://www.mdedge.com/dermatology/article/161149/aesthetic-dermatology/role-defensins-treating-skin-aging
