DMAE Cream – Is Face Lifting Necessarily Good for Your Skin?

There has been quite a bit of news activity around DMAE cream anti-aging skin cream over the past few months. DMAE is a natural moisturizer, it has great skin nutrients, and it has lactic acid. The lactic acid is mild enough to not cause irritation, but it is effective in causing faster cell turnover. It's a cream which users say: “Moisturizes nicely and is not greasy”. It isn't a miracle skin care cream in terms of eliminating wrinkles, but it helps and they tend to like it. It is also available as a dietary supplement.

DMAE a Dietary Supplement

These days, DMAE is also sold as a dietary supplement in capsule and powdered form. The dosing instructions vary by brand, so it’s important to follow package directions and to buy DMAE only from trusted sources. it is available as a serum to use on the skin. It’s also an ingredient in some cosmetics and skincare products. It may be referred to by many other names.

Because DMAE is chemically similar to choline, DMAE is thought to stimulate the production of acetylcholine. And because acetylcholine is a brain neurotransmitter, it's easy to see how it could be associated with brain function. However, only a handful of studies have looked at DMAE for that purpose and they have not been conclusive in the least, while some have shown that DMAE may be problematic or not very effective.

It’s a controversial ingredient for skin because research has shown conflicting results. It seems to offer an initial benefit that improves skin firmness, but these results are short-lived and eventually give way to the destruction of the substances in skin that help keep it firm. DMAE may also have skin-calming effects.

When to Use DMAE Cream

It is ideal for those who are looking to visibly firm and lift the face or neck. It is often sold as 100% vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, mineral oil-free, lanolin-free, gluten-free, GMO-free.

Original Article February 2011:

Is Face Lifting Necessarily Good for Your Skin When Applied to DMAE Cream?

The Montreal Gazette and the Calgary Herald (January 2011), for example, ran a news story about anti-aging creams, and whether the claims made for them are wholly correct. Others have singled out DMAE cream in their headlines, although reading the full articles tends to suggest that the criticism being made by the experts quoted are more general and not specifically aimed at this particular cream.

DMAE is a potent skin firming cream especially renowned for removing fine lines. DMAE stands for Dimethylaminoethanol, which is an antioxidant membrane stabilizer. Because of its unique structure, DMAE actually intersperses and becomes part of the cell plasma membrane. That way it strengthens and rebuilds the skin. When this occurs [its proponents say] the membrane is better able to resist stress and therefore stabilizes. DMAE also gives protection from free radical damage by helping cells expel waste and hold on to valuable nutrients.

Others have picked up upon the suggestion that users are experiencing a face lifting effect, and have researched the medical papers available about DMAE cream.

DMAE Cream – A Skin-firming Solution

Third Age has found a reference to DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) in a reference published in 2007 by the British Journal of Dermatology by Pharmacologist, Francois Marceau, of Laval University in Quebec. It which they suggest exposes the most likely cause of the effects claimed for the cream as a skin-firming solution:

“He [Marceau] found that when skin cells were exposed to DMAE, tiny compartments inside the cells swelled up and some cells died,” explaining that the swelling, “is a likely explanation for the skin thickening, or firming,”

According to Third Age, Marceau goes on to reassure his readers that the swelling is “not necessarily very dangerous, but has not been properly analyzed scientifically” adding, “I would like to see them follow formal FDA rules for drug development.”

Drug Claims Disallowed by the FDA

Certainly, the FDA has expressed concerns recently over some claims made by companies endeavoring to sell their anti-aging creams. There are, of course, guidelines that the cosmetics companies must comply with. For example, they are in general not allowed to state that their product “alters the structure or function of the body or treats or prevents disease”.

To do so would be to make a “drug claim” for their product and of quite naturally, as a consequence would invoke all the regulations that apply to drug testing.

List of Companies

The FDA is thought to maintain a list of more than 80 companies with whom they have held concern about some of their product promotions which may have crossed the line into being drug claims.

These companies are mostly the smaller players, a spokeswoman for the agency has reportedly stated. So, what is special or different about DMAE cream that might have prompted this special attention? It is the extent to which the claims extend for amazing results.

In Trials Researchers Measured Skin Firmness and Hydration

For example, Skin-Remedies.Com states on their web site that in one study, “a group of patients applied a 3% DMAE-enriched cream on one cheek, and a control cream lacking DMAE, on the other cheek.

Forty-five minutes after the topical application of the two treatments, researchers measured both skin firmness and hydration. The DMAE cream not only improved hydration of the skin, but improved skin tone as well.

Disappearing-Act” of Dark Spots

”They state that other DMAE cream use studies have been undertaken which, reportedly, show a significant long term improvement in loss of wrinkles, improved skin tone, and reduction in skin sag. Others have made statements that differ, but suggest that the cream produces very positive and rapid results. DMAE cream provided by Pennherb.com is described as reportedly responsible for a dramatic “disappearing-act” of dark spots. And, they also say it promotes a smoother, more even skin color.

DMAE Cream, Lotion, and Gel – A Smoother, More Even Skin Color

You can find DMAE cream, lotion, and gel at the cosmetic counter in department stores, some health food stores, and some chemists as a combination of Elastin & DMAE.  They also report a dramatic disappearing-act of dark spots and allude to a smoother, more even skin color.

Skin Eternal(TM) DMAE Serum is another product in the DMAE mold, where they describe the serum as easily absorbed into the skin, and say that it immediately makes the skin feel softer and replenished.

The Reviva Labs product line which includes Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester and DMAE cream-based products is currently one of the most popular offerings from the company.

Conclusion

There have been no reports of side effects when applying DMAE cream or lotion, which we have seen. However, we understand that extensive research has yet to be carried out on DMAE creams.