G.S. Cosmeceutical Plants the Seeds to Anti-Aging Skincare's Future with Stem Cells

Livermore, CA, February 16, 2010 --(PR.com)-- In the Eighties, antioxidants heralded a new age in skincare with a host of free radical fighters that afforded broad-reaching protection against future signs of aging. Alpha hydroxy acids came along to accelerate exfoliation and rejuvenate skin, while peptides emerged in the late Nineties to gain new ground with preparations that help repair damaged cells, relax wrinkles and build collagen.

Today, the arrival of plant stem cells in topical skincare carries a new mission: the ability to not only protect, prevent and repair aging skin cells but to actually replace lost and damaged cells with healthy new skin cells. Already, the applications are yielding dramatic results with newfound promise of revolutionizing the skincare industry in ways never before realized.

An Apple a Day Keeps Signs of Aging Away
With age, the turnover of human epidermal stem cells begins to slow. Over time, these critical cells function less efficiently. Hindered by a finite number of potential cell divisions, lost and dying cells start to outnumber fresh new cells, and, sooner than later, they culminate in signs of aging. Plant stem cells, however, have the ability to divide over many generations and the unique capacity to stimulate and protect human stem cells. The results are a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, collagen loss and other common signs of aging.

G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc., a Livermore, CA-based contract manufacturer of anti-aging skin care, body care, hair care, natural and organic-based products, and OTC cosmeceuticals, is currently working with plant-derived stem cells, such as those found in the Swiss Uttwiler Spätlauber apple. First cultivated in the 18th century for its hardy, long-lasting fruit, this tannin-rich fruit offers a rich source of anti-aging activity.

By forming small wounds in "explants" of the stem cell tissue, scientists are able to stimulate large cell masses known as calluses, which contain the "unprogrammed" and undifferentiated cells of the plant. It is within these "blank canvases" that exciting, new applications in skincare yield promise, including the ability to increase the longevity of human skin cells and stimulate new ones.

A wide range of plant stem cells, including extracts from edelweiss, echinacea, gotu kola and several lilac varietals, may offer significant future skincare applications.

For instance, edelweiss, an Alpine flower with a special affinity to survive extreme altitudes and solar radiation exposure, offers potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Edelweiss stem cells inhibit the enzymes that break down hyaluronic acid and collagen. The stem cells from echinacea, a botanical revered for its immune-strengthening properties, have also demonstrated an ability to inhibit collagenase, the enzyme that breaks down collagen, while stimulating the synthesis of new collagen in vitro.

Likewise, stem cells from the gotu kola plant, also known as tiger grass, have been shown to decrease the skin-degrading enzyme, hyaluronidase, by up to 90% and therefore retain the skin's hyaluronic acid, a key extracellular matrix ingredient responsible for hydration and elasticity.

Other plant-derived stem cells, such as from the common lilac, may yield new applications in fighting acne. By combining these plant-derived stem cells with other anti-aging actives, such as peptides, proteins and cell-active folic acid, skin cell DNA, the core center for all cell renewal processes, can be rejuvenated and literally give aging skin a fresh new start.

About G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc.
G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. is a privately-owned contract manufacturing company. Headquartered in Livermore, California, the company is a leader in providing R&D, manufacturing and warehousing services to physicians, cosmetic entrepreneurs, corporate manufacturers, beauty start-ups and leading professionals in the spa and beauty industry. The company formulates across a broad range of categories, including anti-aging skincare, body care and hair care, organic- and natural-based products, paraben-free cosmetics and over-the-counter (OTC) cosmeceutical products.

For additional information on the release, please contact G.S. Cosmeceutical USA, Inc. at andrea@gscos.com or visit http://www.gscos.com/. 925-371-5000.

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