What Is a Skin Booster – And Do You Need One?
Skin boosters have been a trending skin care topic, with many discussions on forums and social media about what they are and their benefits. Like many terms in the industry, “skin booster” does not have a hard-and-fast definition and has evolved over time to mean different things. This guide provides an overview of how skin boosters have traditionally been defined, what they mean now, and – most importantly – if they could be right for your skin.
Skin boosters can refer to injectable or topical treatments that work on a cellular level to rejuvenate the skin.
Hyaluronic acid injections and cutting-edge anti-aging ingredients like growth factors, defensins, and exosomes are examples of skin boosters.
Choose the best skin boosters for you based on your Baumann Skin Type.
"Skin Booster" Defined
Traditionally, the term “skin booster” has been used to refer to injectables that “boost” the skin’s hydration and overall texture from the inside out. However, this terminology has evolved in recent years and can now refer to a broader range of highly concentrated ingredients aimed at “boosting” the skin to have a rejuvenating effect (3). Thus, some topical ingredients that work on the cellular level in the deeper layers of skin to improve the skin’s look and feel are now also considered to be skin boosters.
Types of Skin Boosters
There are different types of skin booster products and ingredients, including both injectables and topical ingredients. Some of the best-researched are listed below.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan that is found throughout the body and is known for its ability to bind to and retain up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water (4). It has been used in injectable fillers for decades to plump the skin, restoring lost facial volume and smoothing away lines and wrinkles. While the primary goal of most HA fillers is to have anti-aging and skin rejuvenating effects, some “micro injections” such as Skivive are aimed at deeply hydrating the skin to improve overall skin texture and appearance.
Additionally, some research shows that certain hyaluronic acid formulations may also aid in collagen synthesis, offering longer lasting skin-smoothing and anti-aging effects (5).
Botulinum Toxin Injections
Although not traditionally considered a skin booster, some evidence shows that “microbotulininum” or “baby Botox” can have a rejuvenating effect, improving skin texture and reducing the appearance of pores (6). This specific technique involves administering diluted amounts of botulinum toxin into the superficial layers of the skin, or just beneath the surface. AS with other botulinum toxin injection techniques, however, the effects of “baby Botox” typically last for 3 to 4 months.
Growth Factors
Growth factors are proteins that play a key role in
- cell growth
- proliferation
- healing
In skin care, they are used to promote collagen synthesis and tissue regeneration. Injectable treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) – which uses concentrated blood platelets – stimulates collagen and enhances skin texture and tone.
There are also a few cutting-edge topical skin care brands that effectively use growth factors in their products to achieve similar anti-aging effects but without needles. Containing 450 total growth factors, SkinMedica TNS Advanced + Serum is one of the best skin care products with growth factors.
Other excellent skin care products that have growth factors include:
Heparan Sulfate
Heparan sulfate is a glycosaminoglycan naturally present in the skin. It plays an essential role in cell signaling and tissue repair. In skin care, heparan sulfate analogs are used in advanced topical formulas to enhance hydration, support skin healing, and improve overall skin texture and appearance. These products aim to replenish the skin’s natural heparan sulfate levels, which can diminish with age.
Some of the best skin care products with heparan sulfate include:
Exosomes
Exosomes are one of the latest and most exciting new anti-aging skin care ingredients. They are nano-sized vesicles that help cells communicate with one another. Exosomes contain growth factors, proteins, and genetic material that can promote collagen production, reduce inflammation, and accelerate skin regeneration. Currently, the brand Plated SkinScience has the best research to back up these anti-aging claims, and it also has some of the only skin care formulations on the market that utilize exosomes (7). Exosomes are a skin booster ingredient that I'm particularly interested in.
Defensins
Defensins are small antimicrobial peptides that are a natural part of the immune system. Recent research has highlighted their role in skin rejuvenation by activating dormant stem cells within the skin. This activation can lead to an increased production of new skin cells, improved skin thickness, and a reduction in visible signs of aging. The skin care brand DefenAge is one of the leaders in skin care formulations containing defensins.
Bottom Line: Do You Need a Skin Booster?
Whether or not you could benefit from a skin booster depends on your individual skin type and cosmetic goals. It’s important to note that there is no strict definition of a skin booster, as many anti-aging products and treatments could fall under this category. Injectable treatments like hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin injections, as well as advanced ingredients such as exosomes and growth factors, have shown efficacy in rejuvenating the skin and may help to prevent future lines and wrinkles if started early.
To help you decide if a skin booster could be right for you, take the skin type quiz to first find out which of the 16 skin types you are. From there, we can help you create a customized skin care regimen that will work for your skin’s unique needs.
Dr. Leslie Baumann MD, FAAD
Is a skin booster the same as a serum?
Not exactly. Both skin boosters and serums aim to improve skin quality, but skin boosters tend to be more concentrated and sometimes refer to injectable treatments. Serums, on the other hand, are topical products applied to the skin’s surface and are designed to address specific concerns such as dryness, dark spots, or wrinkles.
Can skin boosters be combined with other treatments?
Yes, skin boosters are often combined with other treatments and products to enhance overall results. For instance, skin boosters may complement treatments like laser therapy, microneedling, or chemical peels.
Do skin boosters have side effects?
As with any topical or injectable product, some side effects can occur with skin boosters. Injectable skin boosters can cause temporary redness, swelling, or bruising, but these effects are typically mild and should resolve on their own within a few days.
Best References and Scientific Publications on Skin Boosters
- Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
- Baumann, L. Ch. Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
- Yi KH, Winayanuwattikun W, Kim SY, Wan J, Vachatimanont V, Putri AI, Hidajat IJ, Yogya Y, Pamela R. Skin boosters: Definitions and varied classifications. Skin Res Technol. 2024 Mar;30(3):e13627. doi: 10.1111/srt.13627. PMID: 38481069; PMCID: PMC10938033.
- John HE, Price RD. Perspectives in the selection of hyaluronic acid fillers for facial wrinkles and aging skin. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2009 Nov 3;3:225-30. doi: 10.2147/ppa.s3183. PMID: 19936165; PMCID: PMC2778417.
- Chen F, Guo X, Wu Y. Skin antiaging effects of a multiple mechanisms hyaluronan complex. Skin Res Technol. 2023 Jun;29(6):e13350. doi: 10.1111/srt.13350. PMID: 37357659; PMCID: PMC10225814.
- Diaspro, Alberto M.D., M.Sc.; Calvisi, Lucia M.D.; Manzoni, Veronica M.D.; Sito, Giuseppe M.D.. Microbotulinum: A Quantitative Evaluation of Aesthetic Skin Improvement in 62 Patients. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 146(5):p 987-994, November 2020.
- Proffer, S. L., Paradise, C. R., DeGrazia, E., Halaas, Y., Durairaj, K. K., Somenek, M., ... & Wyles, S. P. (2022). Efficacy and Tolerability of Topical Platelet Exosomes for Skin Rejuvenation: Six-Week Results. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 42(10), 1185-1193.
