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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be wary of buying a facial moisteriser that claims to alter the genetic structure of my skin cells?

56 replies

poshsinglemum · 03/03/2010 19:38

I'm talking about that new cream by L'oreal. The youth code. Apparently these creams are the latest thing in beaty. They claim to interact with the genes that age us and alter them It all sounds very exciting and could work but AIBu to worry about the side-effects that such creams could cause in the long run.
I draw the line at protect and perfect.

OP posts:
bernadetteoflourdes · 03/03/2010 20:01

This is pretty amazing and I am sure that to make such bold claims they have to back their facts up with proper science or the ASA can come down like a ton of bricks. My dfil was a pracising dermatologist so I might ask him. I will look out for this in Boots but I wont be buying it as it sounds scary. I just read an interview with a mum who buys botox online and injects her 16 year old daughter's face, more child abuse

Original poster
poshsinglemum · 03/03/2010 20:27

If I could be sure that it wouldn't alter the genetic material of other cells and that any alterations are not dangerous then I might go for it. Isn't cancer caused by gene mutations? This does sound scarily like gene mutations. Amazing -sure. A bit too far? Mabe.

OP posts:
blonde36er · 03/03/2010 21:25

I can't see how it could alter genes. AFAIK any cosmetic that would have that strong an effect would have to be classed as a medicine, and then it would only be available on prescription.

Of course, they claim to only reduce the appearance of wrinkles/marks...not to actually reduce them.

Not that I have any scientific knowledge at all and could be completely wrong

LEMisdiscombobulated · 03/03/2010 21:31

I would steer clear of anything that says it alters genes! You are exactly right, damage to DNA which is what our genes are made of, does cause cancer. However, it is feasable to target changes specifically, but i would be very dubious about it. What probably is happening here is that the chemicals in these products interact with gene products - proteins, that have a role in ageing, or non ageing or protecting the skin, whatever. I personally don't use anti ageing creams, i dont like using chemicals.

I would have thought that they are safe though, as many rabbits and whatever else they test their products will have undergone stringent tests to ensure they are safe for human use.

Make a cucumber and yoghurt face mask, don't drink and drink plenty of water, thats what i'd do

mitochondria · 03/03/2010 21:36

Sounds like woo to me.

I did a quick Google for it, it's not easy to find out what's in it, and exactly what claims they are making. All pretty vague "something to do with genes, and genes are scientific, and it took 10 years to research, so it must be good, right?"

All it says is "inspired by the science of genes".

That means nothing, really.

PacificDogwood · 03/03/2010 21:40

'Tis crap claim.
'Tis a cream.

Like with all other creams buy it if you like it - smell, texture, packaging, whatever floats your boat.
It will do nought to your genes.

CoteDAzur · 03/03/2010 21:53

Obviously, it can't alter your genes. If we were capable of altering DNA with a cream, we would probably see worthier applications than youthful appearance.

I found this:

"L?Oréal?s Pro-Gen technology, containing biolysate, a product of fermented bifidus bacteria. The ingredient has been found to have a significant impact on the keratin 6B gene"

I read "significant impact" to mean "stimulation", not altering.

MrsBadger · 03/03/2010 22:15

tomorrow I will read yje peer-reviewed study and critiqye it for youu...

glastocat · 03/03/2010 22:26

Sounds like a load of boswellox to me.

StepSideways · 04/03/2010 10:37

Indeed, if it could alter your genes, someone would start selling one which gave you blue skin and pointy ears...

sarah293 · 04/03/2010 10:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LEMisdiscombobulated · 04/03/2010 10:54

You can alter genes in specific cells, but its generally a bad thing!

LEMisdiscombobulated · 04/03/2010 10:55

thing is though riven, have you not seen some of those women in the make up counters? They do bear a striking resemblence to walrusses, perhaps you are onto something

sarah293 · 04/03/2010 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

TrillianAstra · 04/03/2010 11:17

Luckily the skin cells on the surface are dead already.

ArcticFox · 04/03/2010 11:23

What they claim, and only in press releases, not on the actual product information, is that the cream "resets the gene code" which frankly doesnt mean very much (as I'm sure they were told by their lawyers before they said it).

There is no way a face cream can "change the genes" in the cells of your facial skin.

Also, cancer is not caused by a gene mutation but by an error in cell replication - the cells replicate out of control and form a tumour.

MrsBadger · 04/03/2010 11:24

ok this is their original genomics paper
No surprises and not really any usable data (fairly standard for array work) - the 'original clustering method' is a giveaway for 'we have oodles of not-very-significant data and can interpret it any way we want'. However it is a fairly good baseline for their 'tape stripping method' of assessing skin repair rates.

this is the boswellox biolysate testing paper.
Their n is small and I can't get at the raw data but at first glance it seems pretty sound in saying that if you have sensitive, 'reactive' skin, then biolysate may help toughen it up so it reacts less badly to damage.
No evidence that it 'interacts with genes' - seems more that it reacts with the immune system, which in turn regulates gene expression in the skin.
Didn't prove anything specific re reducing wrinkles etc either

Swan78 · 04/03/2010 11:24

L�Oréal�s Pro-Gen technology, containing biolysate, a product of fermented bifidus bacteria. The ingredient has been found to have a significant impact on the keratin 6B gene

I think it could be very clever advertising. No where does it say that the cream itself can do any of this...it says that a product of fermented bifidus bacteria can.
Which means that if you injected or somehow got that ingredient into your body it could make a difference. But your skin is waterproof and only certain drugs and some essential oils can be truly absorbed.
Keratin itself makes your skin waterproof.

I'm pretty sure it is safe for you to use or it wouldn't be of sold at a beauty counter.

asteri · 04/03/2010 11:42

I agree swan68, though i try not to buy Loreal if I can help it, they have a terrible reputation for animal testing. Its harsh.

GrendelsMum · 04/03/2010 12:35

Can we choose how it alters our genes? I think I'd like to have a facial moisteuriser that turns me into a walrus from the neck up, so long as I had the antidote (and, as a walrus, could remember how to put it back on).

CatIsSleepy · 04/03/2010 12:41

'Also, cancer is not caused by a gene mutation but by an error in cell replication - the cells replicate out of control and form a tumour.'
sorry arctic fox, but cancer is caused by genetic mutations...which in turn lead to out of control cell replication

not that that's got anything to do with face cream

and I am pretty sure this new cream will be having no effect whatsoever on our genes

mrsboogie · 04/03/2010 12:43

"resets the gene code"

I have never heard such twaddle.

If they said it was made by fairies it would be no less believable.

DarrellRivers · 04/03/2010 12:44

Did the trial involve 8 women and 3 cats?
Agree it being Boswellox

asteri · 04/03/2010 13:10

darrellRivers - were the cats actually cats when they started the trial? maybe thats how it affects your genes........

UndomesticHousewife · 04/03/2010 13:13

I'm going to buy it in the hope it alters my genes so much that I end up looking like a supermodel.