What Is EGF and Why Has It Been at the Heart of Corrective Skin for 30 Years?

Long before epidermal growth factor became a familiar term in professional skincare, it was the inspiration behind Corrective Skin’s very first proprietary formulation.

Our founder, Gale Roberts, first became interested in growth factors after learning about their role in the skin’s natural renewal processes. In 1986, scientists Stanley Cohen and Rita Levi Montalcini received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries of growth factors. Cohen’s work included the discovery of epidermal growth factor, commonly known as EGF, a protein involved in communicating with certain cells found in the skin and other epithelial tissues. You can read more about their discovery through the Nobel Prize organization.

That discovery sparked a question for Gale. If growth factors played such an important role in the science of skin renewal, what potential could they have in a thoughtfully formulated product created for the visible signs of aging?

That question eventually became our EGF Cream and marked the beginning of Corrective Skin.

A Formula Shaped by 30 Years of Experience

Our EGF Cream has been part of Corrective Skin for approximately 30 years, but the formula has never remained frozen in time. As skincare science and formulation technology have evolved, so has the product.

The original formulation was much simpler and contained fewer supporting antioxidants. It also had the naturally less than luxurious aroma that can accompany certain bioengineered ingredients.

Over time, we refined the formula to create a product that offered not only a sophisticated approach to aging skin, but also the elevated experience we wanted our clients to enjoy. Sweet almond oil was incorporated to soften the natural aroma while contributing to the cream’s comforting, emollient texture. The formula was also expanded to include niacinamide and a comprehensive blend of antioxidants, botanical extracts, soothing ingredients and nourishing oils.

Because this product was created by working aestheticians, the experience of using it has always mattered to us. A skincare routine must be something a person can follow consistently. We wanted the EGF Cream to feel comforting and luxurious enough to become the step our clients look forward to applying every morning and evening.

What exactly is Epidermal Growth Factor?

Epidermal growth factor is a signaling protein naturally found in the human body. Signaling proteins function as messengers. They interact with compatible receptors and participate in the complex communication pathways involved in normal skin function.

We sometimes describe EGF as being similar to the CEO of a much larger organization. It does not perform every job itself, nor is it the only signal involved, but naturally occurring EGF plays an important role in cellular communication.

The EGF used in Corrective Skin’s formula is not harvested from human or animal tissue. We use rh-Oligopeptide-1, a recombinant, biomimetic form of EGF produced through bacteria based biotechnological synthesis. This process creates a protein designed to resemble the EGF naturally found in the human body.

Is EGF Also a Peptide?

Yes. EGF is an epidermal growth factor, but it can also accurately be described as a peptide, a polypeptide and a small signaling protein. These terms are not contradictory. They simply describe EGF from different scientific perspectives.

Peptides are chains of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. When that chain becomes longer, it is often called a polypeptide. A protein is one or more amino acid chains folded into a specific shape that allows it to perform a biological function. The boundaries between the terms peptide, polypeptide and protein are not absolute, so scientific and cosmetic sources may use them somewhat differently.

Mature human EGF is a single chain of 53 amino acids. That makes it a polypeptide, and because the chain folds into a functional three dimensional structure that acts as a biological messenger, it is also commonly classified as a small signaling protein. In the broader language of skincare, it also belongs to the peptide category. Its specific job as a messenger that interacts with compatible EGF receptors is what makes it a growth factor.

An easy way to think about it is this: peptide and polypeptide describe what EGF is made of, while growth factor describes what it does.

This is also why the ingredient name rh-Oligopeptide-1 appears on cosmetic labels. It is the standardized cosmetic ingredient name used for the recombinant, biomimetic EGF in our formula. The word oligopeptide in that label is part of the ingredient’s official cosmetic name and does not change the fact that mature EGF contains 53 amino acids.

You can learn more about how amino acids form peptides, polypeptides and proteins through the National Library of Medicine, and review the 53 amino acid sequence of human EGF through UniProt.

EGF works by binding with compatible epidermal growth factor receptors and initiating a signaling response.

This distinction matters because growth factor is a broad category. Different products can contain different growth factors, sources, concentrations, supporting ingredients and delivery technologies. Simply including EGF on an ingredient list does not mean that every EGF product has been formulated in the same way.

What Does the Research Say About Topical Growth Factors?

Research surrounding topical growth factor skincare is promising.

A 2023 systematic review examined 33 studies involving 1,180 participants and 23 different topical growth factor preparations. Across those studies, researchers reported improvements in visible concerns that included skin texture, fine lines, wrinkles and overall facial appearance.

The researchers noted that formulas, study designs and methods of measuring results varied, but the overall body of evidence supported the potential of topical growth factor preparations for facial skin rejuvenation. You can read the peer reviewed review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Other research involving specific topical growth factor preparations has reported visible improvements in fine lines, skin texture, discoloration and the overall appearance of photodamaged skin with consistent use. One published clinical study documented statistically significant improvements in several visible characteristics of aging facial skin following daily topical application.

This growing body of research is one reason growth factors have become such an exciting category within professional skincare. It is also why the quality of the complete formulation matters so much.

Why We Use a Liposomal Delivery System

EGF is a delicate protein. Without thoughtful formulation, proteins can lose their stability and ability to interact as intended.

Corrective Skin uses a specialized liposomal delivery system built around phospholipids and compatible lipids. Liposomes are microscopic structures that can surround and help protect delicate ingredients within a formulation.

Researchers have investigated liposomal carrier systems as a way to improve the stability and delivery of recombinant EGF. Laboratory research has found that encapsulating recombinant EGF within nanoliposomes can improve its stability and delivery compared with unencapsulated EGF. You can read more in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics.

Additional research has shown that recombinant EGF can degrade in certain solutions and under certain environmental conditions, demonstrating why stability must be considered when formulating with this protein. Research on recombinant EGF stability

Our liposomal delivery system is an essential part of the formula because it helps protect and stabilize the EGF while supporting its delivery within the skin’s surface layers.

For us, it is not enough to add an exciting ingredient to a cream. We consider how that ingredient is protected, delivered and supported by the rest of the formulation.

Why EGF Does Not Appear at the Top of the Ingredient List

One of the most common misconceptions about skincare is that an ingredient must appear near the beginning of an ingredient list to be meaningful.

Ingredients such as water, glycerin, oils, butters and emulsifiers make up a larger physical percentage of a cream, so they naturally appear toward the beginning of the label. That does not mean every performance focused ingredient needs to be used in the same quantity.

Under cosmetic labeling regulations, ingredients present at more than 1 percent are generally listed in descending order of concentration. Once the formula reaches ingredients present at 1 percent or less, those ingredients may be listed in any order. This means the exact position of an ingredient within that portion of the list does not necessarily disclose its precise concentration. FDA Cosmetics Labeling Guide

EGF is also a signaling protein. Unlike an oil, butter or traditional moisturizing ingredient that contributes a larger portion of a cream’s physical base, a signaling protein communicates with compatible receptors at very low concentrations.

Scientific research has demonstrated EGF receptor activity at nanomolar and subnanomolar concentrations. This helps explain why the amount required for a signaling protein cannot be judged using the same assumptions applied to base ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter or botanical oils. Published EGF signaling research

For that reason, it is not accurate to judge an EGF formulation simply by how close EGF appears to the top of the label. More EGF does not automatically mean a better formula. Its form, stability, delivery system and relationship with the complete formulation all matter.

More Than One Ingredient

Although EGF is the hero ingredient, our EGF Cream was never designed to rely on one ingredient alone.

The formula combines EGF with niacinamide, Spin Trap, EGCG, lycopene, licorice, vitamin E compounds, soothing botanicals, moisturizing oils and emollient ingredients. Each ingredient has a purpose within the larger formulation.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and one of the best supported multifunctional ingredients in cosmetic skincare.

Clinical research on specific topical niacinamide formulations has found visible improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, red blotchiness, sallowness and skin texture. Niacinamide has also been studied for its ability to support the skin’s moisture barrier and help skin retain hydration.

This makes niacinamide a valuable supporting ingredient for skin that looks dry, reactive, uneven or visibly stressed. It also complements the moisturizing and antioxidant components of the EGF Cream.

Published niacinamide research has documented improvements in several visible characteristics of aging facial skin with consistent topical use.

Green Tea and EGCG

Our formula contains both green tea leaf extract and epigallocatechin gallate, commonly called EGCG.

EGCG is a polyphenol found in green tea. Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds that help defend against oxidative stress created by environmental exposure.

Research into topical green tea preparations has examined their potential role in helping protect the appearance of skin exposed to ultraviolet and environmental stress. Although results vary depending on the formulation studied, green tea polyphenols remain important and widely researched cosmetic antioxidants. Published green tea research

In the EGF Cream, green tea and EGCG support a complexion that looks calm, refreshed and resilient.

Spin Trap Antioxidant

One of the most distinctive ingredients in our EGF Cream is Phenyl t Butylnitrone, commonly known as Spin Trap or PBN.

Free radicals are unstable molecules created through normal biological processes and environmental exposure. When free radical activity exceeds the skin’s natural antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress can contribute to the visible signs of premature aging.

Spin traps are a specialized category of compounds studied for their ability to interact with reactive free radicals. PBN is one of the best known and most researched spin trapping compounds.

We include Spin Trap as part of the EGF Cream’s larger antioxidant support system. Alongside EGCG, lycopene, niacinamide, licorice and vitamin E compounds, it helps support skin exposed to everyday environmental stress and promotes a complexion that looks healthy and resilient.

Scientific review of PBN and spin trap technology

Lycopene

Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid responsible for the rich red color found in tomatoes and certain other fruits.

Our formula contains tomato fruit lipids as a source of this antioxidant carotenoid. Lycopene has been studied for its ability to interact with reactive oxygen species and support the skin’s natural antioxidant defenses.

Topical lycopene research has demonstrated antioxidant activity and suggests that it can be a valuable addition to formulas designed for environmentally exposed skin. Published research on topical lycopene

Within the EGF Cream, tomato fruit lipids complement Spin Trap, green tea, EGCG and vitamin E compounds as part of a broader antioxidant network.

Rather than depending on one antioxidant, we chose several complementary ingredients to create more comprehensive support for aging and environmentally stressed skin.

Licorice Root Extract

Licorice root is derived from the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. Its naturally occurring compounds have been studied for their antioxidant and skin tone supporting properties.

Within the EGF Cream, licorice complements niacinamide and the formula’s other antioxidants. It supports the appearance of a brighter, calmer and more even complexion.

Licorice is especially valuable in a formula created for people concerned about the visible appearance of uneven tone, redness and environmental stress.

Bisabolol

Bisabolol is a plant derived ingredient valued in skincare for its soothing properties. It is often associated with chamomile and has a naturally soft aroma.

Research has explored the calming and antioxidant properties of topical bisabolol. Within our formula, it helps support skin that feels comfortable and appears calm, making it an important complement to the cream’s more performance focused ingredients. Scientific review of bisabolol

Tocopherol and Tocotrienols

Tocopherol and tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family.

Vitamin E compounds are included in skincare formulations for their antioxidant properties and their ability to help support oils and lipids within the product. They complement the other antioxidants in the EGF Cream while contributing to the formula’s conditioning benefits.

Moisturizing Oils, Butters and Lipids

The formula contains glycerin, shea butter, caprylic and capric triglyceride, sweet almond oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil, sunflower seed oil, palm oil and phospholipids.

Glycerin is a humectant that helps attract and hold water at the skin’s surface. Shea butter and botanical oils provide emollient lipids that help soften and condition dry skin.

These ingredients give the cream its comforting texture and help support the appearance of smooth, supple and moisturized skin. They are particularly important for mature skin and for people living in dry environments.

Sweet almond oil also helped us create a more enjoyable sensory experience by softening the natural aroma associated with the original EGF formulation.

Soothing Botanical Support

The EGF Cream also includes allantoin, aloe, honeysuckle extracts, pumpkin seed oil, boldo leaf extract and witch hazel water.

These ingredients contribute additional soothing, conditioning and antioxidant support. Together, they help create the calm and comforting experience our clients associate with the cream.

The formula is intentionally comprehensive. EGF provides the hero signaling protein, while the surrounding ingredients help moisturize, soothe and support the appearance of the skin.

Desert Born Skincare

Corrective Skin was developed through years of hands on aesthetic practice in Salt Lake City, Utah, a high altitude desert environment.

People living in dry climates frequently experience skin that feels dehydrated, tight or reactive. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity can influence skin hydration and barrier behavior.

Transepidermal water loss, commonly called TEWL, refers to water that moves through the outer layer of the skin and evaporates from its surface. It is widely used by researchers as an indicator of skin barrier function.

Research shows that environmental and seasonal conditions can affect skin hydration and barrier measurements. You can learn more in this peer reviewed review of TEWL and environmental conditions.

In our clinic, we have consistently observed that dry and reactive skin often struggles when people rely too heavily on aggressive performance ingredients without providing enough moisture and barrier support.

That experience helped shape our approach to EGF Cream. We wanted a product that could be used comfortably within a comprehensive skincare routine while helping the skin feel moisturized, cushioned and visibly resilient.

How to Use EGF Cream

We recommend applying EGF Cream in the evening over your treatment products as the moisturizing step in your routine.

It can also be used during the day to provide moisture and antioxidant support against everyday environmental stress. When using the cream during the day, sunscreen should always be applied as the final step. EGF Cream does not replace daily sun protection.

Consistency is important. Growth factor skincare is not intended to create an overnight transformation. It is best used as part of an ongoing routine designed to support the appearance and comfort of aging skin over time.

What Clients May Notice

With consistent use, clients commonly tell us that their skin appears:

• More hydrated and plump

• Smoother and softer

• More supple and bouncy

• Less visibly dry or crepey

• Calmer and more comfortable

• Brighter and more even in tone

• Refreshed and resilient

• Softer in the appearance of fine lines

Why Airless Packaging Matters

The EGF Cream is housed in an airless container to reduce unnecessary exposure to air and repeated contact during normal use.

Unlike a traditional open jar, the airless container allows the product to be dispensed without repeatedly placing fingers into the formula. It also helps protect the integrity and freshness of the ingredients throughout the life of the product.

Our EGF Cream has not always been packaged this way. Like the formula itself, the packaging has evolved as we have learned more and gained access to better technology.

We chose airless packaging because a sophisticated formula deserves thoughtful protection from the moment it is manufactured until the final application.

The Heart of Corrective Skin

We do not believe that one ingredient can stop time or prevent the natural aging process. We do believe that consistent, thoughtfully formulated skincare can make a meaningful difference in how skin looks and feels over time.

For approximately 30 years, EGF Cream has represented that philosophy. It brings together skincare science, professional aesthetic experience, a specialized delivery system, moisturizing lipids, soothing botanicals and a sophisticated antioxidant blend.

It was Gale’s first proprietary formulation and the product that helped begin the Corrective Skin story. Decades later, it remains our hero product because it represents everything we believe skincare should be: sophisticated, intentional, enjoyable to use and created with a true understanding of the skin.

Formulations evolve. Packaging advances. Skincare science continues to grow. But our https://www.correctiveskin.com/collections/all-productspurpose remains the same: to create products that help people care for their skin with confidence at every stage of life.

That is why EGF Cream was our beginning, and why it continues to be the heart of Corrective Skin today.