{"id":604374139186,"title":"Introstem Review: Skincare Costing the Price of Gold?","created_at":"2022-11-05T18:46:15-04:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"Introstem Review: Skincare Costing the Price of Gold?\",\n \"keywords\": \"introstem, introstem review, introstem reviews, introstem complaints, introstem syringe, introstem eye serum, introstem products, introstem skincare, introstem stem cell, introstem eye cream\",\n \"description\": \"Our research team analyzes whether stem cells can actually improve skin quality like Introstem claims. We review every ingredient in the brand's most popular products to give our take on whether they're worth the money, and highlight some customer complaints about Introstem.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/introstem-review\",\n\"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"creator\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Brian Moore\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": [\n \"M.D.\",\n \"F.A.A.D\"\n ],\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/brian-moore\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/brian-moore-md-faad-2b1b77a2\/\",\n \"https:\/\/www.apexskin.com\/our-team\/dr-brian-moore-md\/\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Dermatology Advisor\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"dermatology, skincare, pigmented lesions, anti-aging, medical research, clinical trials, sunscreen, moisturizer, wrinkles, makeup, shampoo, soap\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"Columbia University\",\n \"University of Toledo\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Introstem_Thumbnail.png?v=1667689357\",\n\"width\": \"3000\",\n\"height\": \"3000\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/www.monex.com\/gold-prices\/\", \n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33151254\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30287361\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29363259\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/plexaderm-review\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32387382\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17388926\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19296892\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/disco-eye-stick-review\",\n\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/ca\/chatsworth\/profile\/cosmetics-sales\/mazal-enterprises-1216-100043877\/complaints\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30287361\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24471735\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30681787\/\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Dr. Dray\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"sodium hyaluronate\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"retinyl palmitate\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"preservatives\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"BBB\"\n }\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2022-11-05\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ], \n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Introstem_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimized.png?v=1667688388\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eI\u003c\/span\u003entrostem is one of the most expensive cosmetics brands in the U.S., with some of their most popular products costing around half of the price of gold per ounce. The brand advertises that there are “grape stem cells in every drop” of their products.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut are grape stem cells actually proven to improve skin quality? Do Introstem products have other research-backed ingredients? Do they contain any potentially harmful ingredients? And how do real users rate their performance?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze medical research to give our take on whether topical stem cells can actually improve skin. Next we’ll review the ingredients in two of the most popular Introstem products: the Introstem Syringe (which is not actually a medical syringe injected into skin but just a product applicator), and Introstem Eye Cream. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDo Stem Cells Improve Skin?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Introstem_Stem_Cell_Claim_Optimized.png?v=1667688486\" alt=\"Introstem stem cell claim\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eStem cells are cells in humans and plants that have the ability to repair and regenerate other cells.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIntrostem advertises that they use grape stem cells in their products. The brand does not appear to cite any medical studies suggesting that grape stem cells, when applied topically to human skin, improve skin quality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWe cannot locate any medical research proving that grape stem cells (or any other type of stem cells) improve skin or have an anti-aging effect.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e Thus we consider the core of Introstem’s product differentiation to be a marketing claim that is not proven in scientific research.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA dermatologist and popular beauty blogger named Dr. Dray published a YouTube video answering user questions about skincare. One of the questions was about whether topically-applied stem cells benefitted skin, and we’ve timestamped the video to start at that section:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KD7-6K3DNpQ?start=130\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntrostem Syringe Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Introstem_Syringe_Ingredients_Optimized.png?v=1667688519\" alt=\"Introstem Syringe ingredients\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIntrostem’s most popular product is their “Syringe” which is used as an anti-aging treatment. Its ingredients are shown above. The syringe is just a product applicator and is not injected into the skin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis product costs $1,200 and is only 0.42 ounces. This is a price-per-ounce of $2,857, which is more than the price of gold at the time of writing this article. The price of gold per-ounce is currently $1,685 (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.monex.com\/gold-prices\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003esource\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are several research-backed, anti-aging ingredients in this formulation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAcetyl-hexapeptide 8\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was shown to be effective for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in a 2020 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33151254\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, as well as treating a variety of other skin conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSodium hyaluronate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, which has been shown in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30287361\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical studies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to have “remarkable anti-wrinkle” effects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRetinyl palmitate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a form of vitamin A that was found in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29363259\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003cem\u003eJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology\u003c\/em\u003e to reduce the effects of aging on skin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCucumber fruit extract\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is another ingredient we consider effective. As we referenced in our review of another skincare brand called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/plexaderm-review\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlexaderm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, this ingredient can have a hydrating effect on skin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhile Introstem’s Stem Cell Non-Surgical Syringe clearly contains a number of effective ingredients for anti-aging, it also contains two ingredients we recommend avoiding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePhenoxyethanol\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is a synthetic preservative found to be toxic to human cells in a 2020 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/32387382\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eethylhexylglycerin\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is another preservative. Some cosmetic formulations require preservatives based on their botanical ingredients, but in our opinion it seems illogical to use skincare products with preservatives when there are effective cosmetic formulations free of these ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall, we believe that Introstem’s Syringe is likely to have an anti-aging effect, but we do not recommend it due to the inclusion of two preservative ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntrostem Eye Cream Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Introstem_Eye_Cream_Ingredients_Optimized.png?v=1667688544\" alt=\"Introstem Eye Cream ingredients\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIntrostem’s second-most popular product is their Eye Cream, called Stem Cell Rejuvenating Eye Cream.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCaffeine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is an effective anti-aging ingredient, because \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17388926\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eresearch shows\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e that topical application of caffeine can reduce skin damage during UV ray exposure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydrogenated polyisobutene\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was shown in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/19296892\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eJournal of Cosmetic Science\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to be an effective skin moisturizer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis formulation also contains \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eretinyl palmitate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e which we already proved to be an effective anti-aging ingredient in the previous section.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eUnfortunately this product contains three total preservatives, one more than the previous formulation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBenzyl alcohol\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is the preservative that’s unique to Introstem Eye Cream. We find \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ephenoxyethanol\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to be particularly suboptimal for an eye cream, because as we documented in our review of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/disco-eye-stick-review\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDisco Eye Stick\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, this preservative has been shown in clinical research to be irritating to the eyes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall we do consider Introstem Eye Cream to be likely effective for improving skin quality and having an anti-aging effect, but we consider it to be a far inferior formulation to Introstem Syringe which had many research-backed anti-aging ingredients. We do not recommend this product overall due to the inclusion of three synthetic preservatives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntrostem Complaints\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are a number of consumers online complaining about Introstem products and service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOn Introstem’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.bbb.org\/us\/ca\/chatsworth\/profile\/cosmetics-sales\/mazal-enterprises-1216-100043877\/complaints\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003epage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, several consumers complain that the brand was not forthcoming about their product refund policy:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOne customer reported the following:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“I purchased this medical device on vacation, I was told by the sales rep that if the item did not work for me I could get a refund. The item was shipped to my home I received it a few days ago, I did more research on it and found bad press on it therefore I decided I did not want the item. Also there were other reasons I did not want the item. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eI reached out to the sales agent and told her that I would be returning the item unopened for a full refund. She then informed me that there was some promotion and I could not get my money back\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAnother customer reported a similarly frustrating experience:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e“I purchased 350 dollars of product, I wasn't sure how they would react with my skin and asked if I could bring them back off I had any troubles and was told I had 2 weeks. I went home and got hives from their product. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eI went back the next day and was told that they do not do refunds and they showed my receipt which said no refunds even though they verbally told me I could take it back.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWhat we find the most concerning about these Introstem complaints is that the brand does not even bother to respond in most cases. Brands that take customer experience and happiness seriously tend to respond to all public complaints and try to resolve them. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOur Clean Skincare Picks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Skincare_Products_Image_Optimized.png?v=1664754145\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are skincare products that contain ingredients shown in clinical trials to be effective for reducing wrinkles and improving skin quality generally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"http:\/\/track.revoffers.com\/aff_c?offer_id=155\u0026amp;aff_id=7240\u0026amp;url_id=2077\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eAnnie Mak Vitamin C Serum\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is our top skin cream pick because of its effective and clean formulation. It contains \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ehyaluronic acid\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e which was described as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"skin-rejuvenating biomedicine\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30287361\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and signs of facial aging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterested consumers can check out Annie Mak Vitamin C Serum \u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"http:\/\/track.revoffers.com\/aff_c?offer_id=155\u0026amp;aff_id=7240\u0026amp;url_id=2077\"\u003eat this link\u003c\/a\u003e to the product page on the official brand's website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"http:\/\/track.revoffers.com\/aff_c?offer_id=159\u0026amp;aff_id=7240\u0026amp;url_id=2174\"\u003eHydraglow\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is our top moisturizer pick.\u003c\/span\u003e It features \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ebakuchiol\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e as an active ingredient which was described in a 2014 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/24471735\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eclinical trial\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"clinically proven to have anti-aging effects.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterested consumers can purchase Hydraglow at the secure checkout below:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\u003c!--\n.katalys-iframe-container {\n position: relative;\n width: auto;\n height: 100%;\n max-height: 420px;\n overflow: hidden;\n }\n .katalys-iframe-container::after {\n display: inline-block;\n content: \"\";\n padding-bottom: 58.82%;\n }\n .katalys-iframe-container iframe {\n position: absolute;\n width: 100%;\n height: 100%;\n }\n @media (max-width: 660px) {\n .katalys-iframe-container {\n width: 300px;\n height: 600px;\n max-height: 600px;\n margin: 0 auto;\n }\n .katalys-iframe-container::after {\n padding-bottom: 0%;\n overflow: hidden;\n }\n }\n--\u003e\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"katalys-iframe-container\" style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\"\u003e\u003ciframe allow=\"payment\" src=\"https:\/\/1o.io\/checkouts\/ffccd0c3-b4bc-4d88-aea3-38e8de7f1296\/#placementId=introstem-review\/placementId2=HydraGlow\/placementId3=inline\" style=\"margin: auto; border: none; width: 100%; height: 100%;\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe only oral supplement we recommend for skin quality improvement is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/bulletproof.fdf2.net\/c\/3271428\/1278011\/9221\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBulletproof Collagen Powder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOral \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ecollagen\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e supplementation was shown in a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30681787\/\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJournal of Drugs in Dermatology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eto improve visible signs of skin aging as well as improve skin elasticity and skin hydration\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterested consumers can check out Bulletproof Collagen Powder \u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/bulletproof.fdf2.net\/c\/3271428\/1278011\/9221\"\u003eat this link\u003c\/a\u003e to the product page on the brand's official website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone of the products recommended in this section contain additive ingredients that we consider questionable from a health perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntrostem Daily Routine Video\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntrostem published a video on their official YouTube page that shows live product demos and explains how the products are meant to be used in the context of a daily skincare routine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis may be useful to consumer considering purchasing Introstem products:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/1Lwe25GZkMk\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntrostem Pros and Cons\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eHere’s the pros and cons of Introstem as a brand in our opinion.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePros:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eEffective ingredients\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eLikely to have an anti-aging effect\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eCons:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIncredibly expensive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eContains synthetic preservatives\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eBrand fails to respond to many public customer complaints\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eUnsurprisingly, given the incredibly high price, both Introstem products we reviewed contained research-backed anti-aging ingredients. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe don’t recommend either the Introstem Syringe or Instrostem Eye Cream due to the inclusion of synthetic preservatives, but we consider the Syringe to be the better formulation as it contains more ingredients we could find research backing for in regard to anti-aging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe do not think it’s logical to spend more than the price of gold per-ounce for skincare, when there are effective skincare options on the market for a fraction of the price.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIntrostem does not currently respond to many consumer complaints on BBB, which we consider to be a red flag about the brand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2022-11-05T19:09:16-04:00","updated_at":"2023-07-25T13:04:30-04:00","summary_html":"Our research team analyzes whether stem cells can actually improve skin quality like Introstem claims. We review every ingredient in the brand's most popular products to give our take on whether they're worth the money, and highlight some customer complaints about Introstem.","template_suffix":"","handle":"introstem-review","tags":"_related:anti-aging, _related:skincare"}

Introstem Review: Skincare Costing the Price of Gold?

Introstem Review: Skincare Costing the Price of Gold?


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Introstem is one of the most expensive cosmetics brands in the U.S., with some of their most popular products costing around half of the price of gold per ounce. The brand advertises that there are “grape stem cells in every drop” of their products.

But are grape stem cells actually proven to improve skin quality? Do Introstem products have other research-backed ingredients? Do they contain any potentially harmful ingredients? And how do real users rate their performance?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we analyze medical research to give our take on whether topical stem cells can actually improve skin. Next we’ll review the ingredients in two of the most popular Introstem products: the Introstem Syringe (which is not actually a medical syringe injected into skin but just a product applicator), and Introstem Eye Cream. 

Do Stem Cells Improve Skin?

Introstem stem cell claim

Stem cells are cells in humans and plants that have the ability to repair and regenerate other cells.

Introstem advertises that they use grape stem cells in their products. The brand does not appear to cite any medical studies suggesting that grape stem cells, when applied topically to human skin, improve skin quality.

We cannot locate any medical research proving that grape stem cells (or any other type of stem cells) improve skin or have an anti-aging effect. Thus we consider the core of Introstem’s product differentiation to be a marketing claim that is not proven in scientific research.

A dermatologist and popular beauty blogger named Dr. Dray published a YouTube video answering user questions about skincare. One of the questions was about whether topically-applied stem cells benefitted skin, and we’ve timestamped the video to start at that section:

Introstem Syringe Review

Introstem Syringe ingredients

Introstem’s most popular product is their “Syringe” which is used as an anti-aging treatment. Its ingredients are shown above. The syringe is just a product applicator and is not injected into the skin.

This product costs $1,200 and is only 0.42 ounces. This is a price-per-ounce of $2,857, which is more than the price of gold at the time of writing this article. The price of gold per-ounce is currently $1,685 (source).

There are several research-backed, anti-aging ingredients in this formulation.

Acetyl-hexapeptide 8 was shown to be effective for reducing the appearance of wrinkles in a 2020 clinical trial, as well as treating a variety of other skin conditions.

Sodium hyaluronate is the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, which has been shown in clinical studies to have “remarkable anti-wrinkle” effects.

Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that was found in a clinical trial published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology to reduce the effects of aging on skin.

Cucumber fruit extract is another ingredient we consider effective. As we referenced in our review of another skincare brand called Plexaderm, this ingredient can have a hydrating effect on skin.

While Introstem’s Stem Cell Non-Surgical Syringe clearly contains a number of effective ingredients for anti-aging, it also contains two ingredients we recommend avoiding.

Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative found to be toxic to human cells in a 2020 clinical trial, and ethylhexylglycerin is another preservative. Some cosmetic formulations require preservatives based on their botanical ingredients, but in our opinion it seems illogical to use skincare products with preservatives when there are effective cosmetic formulations free of these ingredients.

Overall, we believe that Introstem’s Syringe is likely to have an anti-aging effect, but we do not recommend it due to the inclusion of two preservative ingredients.

Introstem Eye Cream Review

Introstem Eye Cream ingredients

Introstem’s second-most popular product is their Eye Cream, called Stem Cell Rejuvenating Eye Cream.

Caffeine is an effective anti-aging ingredient, because research shows that topical application of caffeine can reduce skin damage during UV ray exposure.

Hydrogenated polyisobutene was shown in a medical review published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science to be an effective skin moisturizer.

This formulation also contains retinyl palmitate which we already proved to be an effective anti-aging ingredient in the previous section.

Unfortunately this product contains three total preservatives, one more than the previous formulation.

Benzyl alcohol is the preservative that’s unique to Introstem Eye Cream. We find phenoxyethanol to be particularly suboptimal for an eye cream, because as we documented in our review of the Disco Eye Stick, this preservative has been shown in clinical research to be irritating to the eyes.

Overall we do consider Introstem Eye Cream to be likely effective for improving skin quality and having an anti-aging effect, but we consider it to be a far inferior formulation to Introstem Syringe which had many research-backed anti-aging ingredients. We do not recommend this product overall due to the inclusion of three synthetic preservatives.

Introstem Complaints

There are a number of consumers online complaining about Introstem products and service.

On Introstem’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) page, several consumers complain that the brand was not forthcoming about their product refund policy:

One customer reported the following:

“I purchased this medical device on vacation, I was told by the sales rep that if the item did not work for me I could get a refund. The item was shipped to my home I received it a few days ago, I did more research on it and found bad press on it therefore I decided I did not want the item. Also there were other reasons I did not want the item. I reached out to the sales agent and told her that I would be returning the item unopened for a full refund. She then informed me that there was some promotion and I could not get my money back

Another customer reported a similarly frustrating experience:

“I purchased 350 dollars of product, I wasn't sure how they would react with my skin and asked if I could bring them back off I had any troubles and was told I had 2 weeks. I went home and got hives from their product. I went back the next day and was told that they do not do refunds and they showed my receipt which said no refunds even though they verbally told me I could take it back.

What we find the most concerning about these Introstem complaints is that the brand does not even bother to respond in most cases. Brands that take customer experience and happiness seriously tend to respond to all public complaints and try to resolve them. 

Our Clean Skincare Picks

There are skincare products that contain ingredients shown in clinical trials to be effective for reducing wrinkles and improving skin quality generally.

Annie Mak Vitamin C Serum is our top skin cream pick because of its effective and clean formulation. It contains hyaluronic acid which was described as a "skin-rejuvenating biomedicine" in a medical review due to its ability to reduce wrinkles and signs of facial aging.

Interested consumers can check out Annie Mak Vitamin C Serum at this link to the product page on the official brand's website.

Hydraglow is our top moisturizer pick. It features bakuchiol as an active ingredient which was described in a 2014 clinical trial as "clinically proven to have anti-aging effects."

Interested consumers can purchase Hydraglow at the secure checkout below:

The only oral supplement we recommend for skin quality improvement is Bulletproof Collagen Powder.

Oral collagen supplementation was shown in a medical review published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology to improve visible signs of skin aging as well as improve skin elasticity and skin hydration.

Interested consumers can check out Bulletproof Collagen Powder at this link to the product page on the brand's official website.

None of the products recommended in this section contain additive ingredients that we consider questionable from a health perspective.

Introstem Daily Routine Video

Introstem published a video on their official YouTube page that shows live product demos and explains how the products are meant to be used in the context of a daily skincare routine.

This may be useful to consumer considering purchasing Introstem products:

Introstem Pros and Cons

Here’s the pros and cons of Introstem as a brand in our opinion.

Pros:

  • Effective ingredients
  • Likely to have an anti-aging effect

Cons:

  • Incredibly expensive
  • Contains synthetic preservatives
  • Brand fails to respond to many public customer complaints
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Conclusion

Unsurprisingly, given the incredibly high price, both Introstem products we reviewed contained research-backed anti-aging ingredients. 

We don’t recommend either the Introstem Syringe or Instrostem Eye Cream due to the inclusion of synthetic preservatives, but we consider the Syringe to be the better formulation as it contains more ingredients we could find research backing for in regard to anti-aging.

We do not think it’s logical to spend more than the price of gold per-ounce for skincare, when there are effective skincare options on the market for a fraction of the price.

Introstem does not currently respond to many consumer complaints on BBB, which we consider to be a red flag about the brand.




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