The Super Power of Defensins: A Deep Dive with Penny
Hey everyone! Welcome back. If you're new here, I’m Penny, a Master Aesthetician in Portland, Oregon. I’m super excited you guys are here today because we are going to talk about some cutting-edge skincare.
Before we dive in, let's look at this before and after image. Take a look at this woman’s improvement after just 6 weeks of using the product we’re going to discuss today. You can definitely see she has some enhancements in her skin tone, texture, and even the laxity of her skin. Fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin rejuvenation have all visibly improved. I’d even say her jawline appears more defined, which is incredible for just 6 weeks of use.
Contents:
Penny’s Breakdown of the Science Behind DefenAge
The product we’re diving into today is the DefenAge line—specifically a few products I’ve been testing, but we’ll touch on the entire range. A lot of you have been asking me to review this product line.
Just so you know, I purchased these products with my own money, though I did get a discount since the doctor I work with recently brought DefenAge into her practice. That said, this video is not sponsored—I don’t receive any commission or kickbacks from DefenAge or the practice for sharing my thoughts here.
The Master Stem Cell and Your Skin
Now, let’s talk science because it’s important to understand the magic behind DefenAge. I promise I’ll keep it simple!
When we’re in utero, our body develops a unique type of skin stem cell called LGR6+, often referred to as the skin's master stem cells. This stem cells create all of the skin we have when we’re born. After birth, it completes its job and goes dormant, essentially “retiring” into our hair follicles.
The only time this master stem cells come out of dormancy is when the skin is wounded—like a cut, scrape, or burn. In such cases, it reactivates, creates new basal stem cells, and begins producing fresh skin to heal the wound.
What’s fascinating about the master stem cells is that they don’t age like the rest of our body. It remains in a sort of time capsule within the hair follicle, untouched by photodamage or mutations. So, when it’s reactivated, it generates skin that’s as fresh and undamaged as a baby’s skin.
Master Stem Cells and the Healing Process
What is also super important to know is the process that happens in a wound. When the body is wounded, immune cells called neutrophils are activated. Neutrophils release Defensins, which act as messengers, signaling the master stem cells to wake up and repair the wound.
Defensins and DefenAge
DefenAge was able to take Defensins— they are synthesized, there is no human product in these products, and there’s no animal-derived product in these products — and put them into their products. These Defensins, Age-Repair Defensins®, when applied topically via their products, help to mimic the natural wound-healing signal—without the need for an actual wound. This means your master stem cells are triggered to make fresh, younger-looking, beautiful skin even when your skin isn’t injured. You don’t have to put it on top of any micro needling or dermabrasion, you just put the product on morning and night.
The Scientific Studies Behind DefenAge Products
When it comes to skincare, we hear a lot of claims. I often take these claims with a grain of salt. It feels like we hear a lot of lofty promises, and honestly, I’d say that 90% of the time, they’re elevated or exaggerated. So what makes this product line especially exciting is the real science behind it—the studies they’ve conducted on these products.
They started with a pilot study of just 22 people, and the results were promising enough that they decided to take it further with a formal, more rigorous study. This formal study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. It involved 45 participants, all women, ages 41 to 71. This age range is very relevant because those between 40 and 90 are often the most concerned about signs of aging. The participants were divided into three groups, with three different sites and three separate doctors overseeing the study, each managing about 14 to 16 women at their location.
Measurable Results From DefenAge’s Clinical Trials
The study included baseline testing, along with follow-up testing at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. What’s super important here is how objective and thorough the testing was. It wasn’t just about comparing before and after pictures or making visual assessments. They used advanced tools like 3D imaging, biopsies, ultrasound imaging, and formal assessments by the investigators. But it didn’t stop there—there were also devices used to gather measurable, objective data. This wasn’t just about someone saying, “Oh, she looks better” or “I can see fewer wrinkles.” The results were quantifiable. They could measure a statistically:
The study included baseline testing, along with follow-up testing at 6 weeks and 12 weeks. What’s super important here is how objective and thorough the testing was. It wasn’t just about comparing before and after pictures or making visual assessments. They used advanced tools like 3D imaging, biopsies, ultrasound imaging, and formal assessments by the investigators. But it didn’t stop there—there were also devices used to gather measurable, objective data. This wasn’t just about someone saying, “Oh, she looks better” or “I can see fewer wrinkles.” The results were quantifiable. They could measure a statistically:
- significant decrease in visible wrinkles,
- a noticeable increase in skin hydration,
- a reduction in oiliness
- an improvement in appearance of pore size due to an influx of fresh skin cells
- an improvement in trans-epidermal water loss --less water was being lost from the skin,
- an improvement in the appearance of fine lines,
- an improvement in appearance of laxity,
- an improvement in the appearance of the pigment.
Across the board, it was a statistically significant improvement, and it was measured objectively.
One of the most important findings of the study was that the increase in visible dermal and epiderm thickness wasn’t caused by inflammation. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that inflammation accelerates aging, so that’s a huge positive. The last thing we want is results that look good now but are based on inflammation because that usually leads to more aging down the road. This product line is not inflammatory, and that was a huge plus for me.
DefenAge’s Use of Placebo Groups
One other thing I want to highlight is the use of placebo groups in this study. Two-thirds of the participants used the full formula, meaning they had the products with the Defensins—the messenger molecules that help activate the master stem cells. The placebo group, on the other hand, used the exact same product, but without the Defensins. They had the same bottle, the same formula, and everything else was identical—the scent, the texture, the consistency—except for the Defensins. This is important because it allowed them to really measure the effectiveness of the Defensins. I think that’s pretty cool because if you have placebo groups that just use a moisturizer and the other group is using the full formula, it’s apples to oranges, whereas the placebo group truly was using this product just without the active ingredient, the Defensins.
DefenAge and Growth Factors — Is It Safe for Cancer Patients?
One more thing worth considering, especially if you’ve had cancer, is the role of growth factors in skincare. Growth factors are powerful ingredients, but they’re not for everyone. In my opinion, if you’ve had cancer, you should avoid products with growth factors. That’s because growth factors work by stimulating many processes in the skin, and in some cases, they could potentially activate cancer cells.
DefenAge, however, is different. It doesn’t contain growth factors. Instead, it uses signaling molecules that specifically help to activate the master stem cells to assist in the creation of fresh skin. So, while growth factors tend to turn on multiple cellular processes, including possibly unwanted ones. I think this makes DefenAge potentially much safer for those who have a history of cancer, but I always recommend doing your own research. That’s just my take on it.
How Penny Is Using DefenAge Every Day
I thought I’d walk you through how I’m using the products in the line, in case you're interested. First up is the wash, which I really like. I use it both morning and night. It has a gel consistency, and while they recommend applying it to dry skin before adding water, I’ve found that I prefer to use it more traditionally. I just pump it into my hand, add a little water, and apply it that way. It works beautifully, and I’ve noticed it removes my makeup—no need for double cleansing. I’m just using this product. I’m just testing it out and using it that way, and I really do like it.
At night, I alternate with my copper peptides. You can see that I’ve definitely been enjoying this VIP Serum from Dr. Pickart’s site. I usually use two pumps and apply it all over my face and neck. I don’t really wait too long between steps—maybe just 10 seconds or so.It soaks right into my skin, and then I go in with the DefenAge.
24/7 Barrier Balance Cream
Using the DefenAge products is a little bit different than we’re normally used to, but I follow their instructions. First, I apply the 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream. This is an actual cream—lightweight yet hydrating and very soothing. It absorbs right away but leaves your skin feeling really nice. Applying the cream first might seem backward since we’re usually taught to start with serums, but there’s a good reason for this order.
8-in-1 BioSerum
After waiting about 30 seconds, I follow up with a couple of pumps of the 8-in-1 BioSerum. The serum itself is more like a jelly—it’s not super thin, but it spreads easily over the 24/7 Barrier Balance Cream. The reason for this sequence is that the cream contains a mix of antioxidants and other beneficial ingredients, along with a lower concentration of Defensins (the messaging molecules). Applying the cream first allows your skin to fully absorb all the good stuff in it.
If you were to put the serum on first, it is my understanding that it’s so concentrated with the Defensins that it tightens up these junctions in your skin, and the good stuff in here wouldn’t be as accessible to your skin. So they like you to do this first, and then you put the serum on over it.
3D Eye Radiance Cream
Now, here’s the 3D Eye Radiance Cream. I’ve been using this eye cream, and you apply it on your eyelids. I find it really nice, and you don’t need a lot—about half a pump is enough. It does have one of those applicators that can feel cold to the touch, but honestly, I haven’t used it that way. I just put a little on my ring finger and apply it all around my eye area.
2-Minute Reveal Mask
Another excellent product in the line is the 2-Minute Reveal Mask, which is a sugar enzyme mask. It contains super fine-grain sugar, and here’s how you use it: you apply it to dry skin a couple of times a week and massage it in for about 20 seconds. Then, you wet your fingers, and the sugar dissolves, giving you a very fine manual exfoliation.
This mask also has enzymes—papaya, pumpkin, and pomegranate—that work to exfoliate your skin. You leave it on for a couple of minutes, rinse it off, and honestly, I’ve had to stop myself from wanting to use it every day. It’s such a beautiful mask that leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.
You can feel the fine grit when you use it, but it’s not overly scratchy—it gives just enough exfoliation. Once you wet your fingers, the sugar dissolves and turns into a mask that rinses off easily. I really enjoy that.
None of these products have fragrance. Some of the products before did. If you decide you want to get this, just make sure you look and choose the one without fragrance because I will tell you in the products that do contain fragrance, the fragrance is very strong and off-putting, and I didn’t care for it. The lack of fragrance in these, the scent is just fine.
Additional Skincare
On alternating nights, I’m still using my retinaldehyde from Osmosis because I really love it and still want to include vitamin A in my regimen.
My morning routine is actually very similar to my nighttime one. I’m doing almost the same steps, but on alternating days, I rotate between using copper peptides and vitamin C. For that first step, just like with the copper peptides, I assess my skin and decide what it needs. If I feel like my skin could use more of a glow or an extra boost, I’ll go with vitamin C. Then I continue with the DefenAge products.
Of course, during the day, I also use a moisturizer. I’m still loving my iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion—it’s fantastic. The only thing I have to be careful about is avoiding it on days I use vitamin C since it contains copper peptides. It’s always a bit of a skincare puzzle, making sure I’m not layering ingredients that shouldn’t be used together.
To finish off my morning routine, I apply my Victoria Beckham Cell Rejuvenating Moisturizer, followed by SPF—still loving The Dermatology sunscreen.
Final Thoughts
So that’s my daytime skincare routine! I hope you enjoyed this breakdown and share my excitement about this product line. Just to be clear, there won’t be any affiliate links for these products—I’m not earning a commission or anything like that.
If you’re interested, you’re welcome to contact the office where I work for more information. They do sell this product online and can ship it to you if needed. Again, I have absolutely no personal affiliation or financial incentive here, but this way, you can ensure you’re getting a legitimate product. I’ll include that information in the description box for your convenience.
I hope you have a fantastic week, and I’ll see you in my next skincare video. Take care!
The content of this article was transcribed from the video and refined to enhance the reading experience.
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