{"title":"EGF","description":"\u003cp\u003eEGF, epidermal growth factor, is a signalling protein the skin makes itself to prompt renewal and repair. In skincare it appears as sh-Oligopeptide-1 or rh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made copy with no human or animal source, and it earned its reputation in clinical and wound-healing work before moving into serums, creams and masks.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEverything here carries EGF in its ingredient list, verified against the stored INCI rather than the front of the bottle. Growth factors have no clinical safety data in pregnancy, so we recommend pausing these products while pregnant. See our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pregnancy-safe-skincare\"\u003epregnancy safe skincare\u003c\/a\u003e page for alternatives.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"beauty-of-joseon-red-bean-water-gel","title":"Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightweight water-gel for oily skin that still needs hydration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRed bean and \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e complex balances oil and firms over time\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbsorbs instantly with no residue, comfortable under SPF\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeave oily skin short of water and it compensates by making more \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/oily-skin\"\u003esebum\u003c\/a\u003e, not less. The Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel answers that with red bean seed extract, a Hanbang ingredient whose saponins have a genuine astringent effect on the skin, carried in a base that absorbs on contact. Sumin Lee's Seoul brand builds each formula around one heritage ingredient taken seriously, and red bean is the one here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed bean saponins tighten how pores look:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vigna angularis delivers saponins with an astringent effect at the skin surface, alongside polyphenols that neutralise the oxidative stress feeding congestion and dullness. Pores read smaller and skin looks clearer rather than simply less shiny.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirming is the unexpected part of a gel this light:\u003c\/strong\u003e A supporting \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e complex prompts collagen synthesis and improves elasticity over months. That puts skin-longevity work into the step oily skin already uses daily, with no richer texture attached to it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater goes in without oil coming with it:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hyaluronic Acid draws water into the upper layers and holds it there, and the base carries no heavy oils to seal it under. Hydration lasts through the day and the finish stays matte.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe gel is cool and watery, gone in seconds, and it leaves skin feeling bare rather than coated. Sunscreen goes on over it with no pilling or drag, and makeup sits down on top the same way. What it does not leave behind is any cushion of richness, so dry skin will find it thin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e The peptide complex is partly derived from animal sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oily, combination and normal skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excess oil, visible pores, dehydration, dullness, and the early visible markers of skin ageing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e Skin that is shiny by lunchtime and still tight after cleansing will get more from this than from anything richer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is this different from a standard gel moisturiser for oily skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: A gel base is a hydration format first and foremost, built on water-binding ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid or glycerin. The Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Water Gel does three things in that one step: hydration, the astringent pore and oil work of red bean seed extract, and firming from its peptide complex. You end up with a pore product and a firming product inside the moisturiser you were going to use anyway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can an astringent actually shrink my pores?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No, and no topical product does. Pore diameter is set largely by genetics and by how much oil is moving through, so what red bean saponins change is how visible a pore is rather than how wide it is. The distinction matters, because anything promising permanently smaller pores is promising what skincare cannot deliver.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Do I need anything else underneath it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No, it works as a complete moisturiser step on its own. If you do use a serum, this goes on after it, and in the morning sunscreen goes over the top as the final step. A separate hydrating serum only earns its place on unusually dry days or through a winter when your skin behaves more like combination than oily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the Red Bean Water Gel during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. Its peptide complex includes growth factors, among them sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made form of EGF, and growth factors are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. Red bean and hyaluronic acid are not the concern; the precaution is about the growth factors alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quiet win is that oily skin finally gets a firming product it can wear, rather than being handed a cream built for somebody else's face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSee more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/moisturisers\"\u003emoisturisers\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/beauty-of-joseon\"\u003eBeauty of Joseon\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Beauty of Joseon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47822569996622,"sku":"JSMS05-GEL","price":15.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/JSMS05-GEL.png?v=1778671447"},{"product_id":"kaine-chaga-collagen-charging-serum","title":"KAINE Chaga Collagen Charging Serum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e70% Chaga Mushroom for antioxidant protection and repair\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoluble \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/collagen\"\u003eCollagen\u003c\/a\u003e and Turmeric for firmness and tone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight serum texture for morning or evening\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the antioxidant step has always been the thin one in your routine, the proportions here run the other way. The KAINE Chaga Collagen Charging Serum is 70% Inonotus obliquus, the Chaga mushroom that Siberian and East Asian herbal traditions have used for centuries, and the polyphenol density that kept it in use is exactly what it brings to skin. KAINE has been formulating in Seoul since 2018 around fermented and fungi-derived actives at concentrations that register.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChaga's own pigment and polyphenols absorb oxidative stress:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inonotus obliquus produces melanin and a dense mix of polyphenols that neutralise the free radicals generated by UV, pollution and ordinary daily exposure. Over months, that is what stops environmental dullness settling into the skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat soluble Collagen does here is hold water at the surface:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soluble \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/collagen\"\u003eCollagen\u003c\/a\u003e is a large, water-loving molecule that stays in the upper layers and keeps them cushioned. The smoother, plumper look that follows is a hydration effect, and it shows up in minutes rather than months.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorking quietly behind them, Turmeric and beta-glucans cover tone and calm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Curcuminoids from Turmeric Root bring anti-inflammatory activity that evens out tone, while the beta-glucans bind water and moderate inflammatory signalling at the same time. That pairing is why a mushroom-led serum sits well on skin that reacts to most things.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA light serum carrying a faint natural tint that comes from the Chaga itself rather than any added colour. It absorbs quickly to a soft, non-tacky finish and layers cleanly under moisturiser and then sunscreen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e All skin types, including sensitive, combination, and easily irritated skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dullness, loss of firmness, environmental and pollution exposure, and uneven tone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you have read plenty about mushroom actives and never found one dosed highly enough to be worth testing, this is the serum that settles the question.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How does a Chaga serum compare to a Vitamin C serum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Vitamin C does two jobs, neutralising free radicals and inhibiting pigment production, and the second one is why people buy it. The KAINE Chaga Collagen Charging Serum concentrates on the first job with a broader spread of polyphenols and beta-glucans, and it is far better tolerated by skin that finds Vitamin C sharp. They sit together comfortably in a routine rather than competing for the same slot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does topical Collagen rebuild the collagen in my skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No, and it is worth saying plainly. Collagen molecules are far too large to cross the skin barrier, so applied Collagen works at the surface as a water-binding ingredient and nothing deeper. The ingredients that genuinely prompt your own collagen production are peptides, retinoids and Vitamin C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use it morning and evening?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes. Mornings get the most out of it, because an antioxidant is most useful where the oxidative exposure is, and it layers after cleansing and any toner or essence, under moisturiser and sunscreen. Nothing in the formula argues against using it at night as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the Chaga Collagen Charging Serum during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. The formula includes sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made form of the growth factor EGF, and growth factors are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. Chaga, Collagen and Turmeric are not the concern; the precaution is about that one ingredient.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat you are really buying is breadth: a fungal extract brings a whole family of antioxidant compounds rather than one strong molecule, which is a different sort of cover against the same daily damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/serums\"\u003eserums\u003c\/a\u003e, or see more from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/kaine\"\u003eKAINE\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"KAINE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47822572618062,"sku":"KAIS01-S","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/KAIS01-S.png?v=1778671447"},{"product_id":"beauty-of-joseon-relief-sun-aqua-fresh-rice-b5-spf50-pa","title":"Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun Aqua-fresh : Rice + B5 SPF50+ PA++++","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lighter Relief Sun, rebuilt for oily and breakout-prone skin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFive photostable filters with \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/panthenol\"\u003ePanthenol\u003c\/a\u003e, Ceramide NP and beta-glucan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSerum-weight texture that disappears in seconds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Relief Sun earned its reputation on texture, and its emollience is exactly what oily skin struggles with by lunchtime. This Aqua-fresh version keeps photostable protection in a watery base and adds Panthenol to settle the barrier stress that daily sunscreen wear causes breakout-prone skin. Beauty of Joseon works out of Seoul, building modern formulas on Hanbang ingredients.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive photostable filters resist breaking down in sunlight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ethylhexyl Triazone, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate and Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine hold their SPF50+ PA++++ coverage through the day rather than degrading the way older filter combinations do. Drometrizole Trisiloxane and Terephthalidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid in particular are both strong UVA filters and neither appears in the original Relief Sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePanthenol repairs the barrier that daily SPF wears down.\u003c\/strong\u003e It converts to pantothenic acid in the skin, where it calms inflammation and speeds barrier recovery, which matters most for acne-prone skin already dealing with actives. Ceramide NP and phytosphingosine sit behind it replacing barrier lipids directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRice covers the oxidative gap, and it is here three times over.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rice seed water sits second on the list, with rice bran oil, rice amino acids and a rice peptide further down, alongside ferulic acid and beta-glucan. Filters block exposure; antioxidants deal with the free radicals from whatever gets through, which is a job no filter performs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe watery base absorbs without adding shine.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stripping out the emollience that suits normal and dry skin is what makes this workable as a standalone morning step on oily skin, with oat kernel and artichoke leaf extracts calming underneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenuinely watery, closer to an essence than a cream, sinking in within seconds to a soft matte finish with no cast and no tack. It sits under makeup cleanly and does not turn shiny through the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oily, combination, and breakout-prone skin, and normal skin in summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Daily UV protection, shine and congestion, and barrier sensitivity from wearing sunscreen every day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e People who loved the original Relief Sun until July, and anyone whose skin is already working hard on actives and needs the SPF step to be the calm one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is this different from the original Relief Sun?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: A different base and a different filter system. The original carries more emollience and a four-filter blend, which suits normal to dry skin and can feel rich on oily skin. This one strips the base back to a watery texture, runs five filters including two strong UVA ones the original does not have, and adds Panthenol and Ceramide NP for barrier support. Neither is better; they are built for different skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Will a watery sunscreen protect as well as a richer one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes. Texture and protection are separate variables, decided by the filter system rather than the base. Both formulas carry SPF50+ PA++++, and this one reaches it by a slightly different route.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can it work as my only morning step?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: On oily and combination skin, usually yes. Dry skin will want a moisturiser underneath, and would probably be happier with the original formula anyway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use Relief Sun Aqua-fresh during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend a different sunscreen while pregnant. The formula includes sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made form of the growth factor EGF, and growth factors are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. A mineral sunscreen is the usual choice during pregnancy, and our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/mineral-spf\"\u003emineral SPF\u003c\/a\u003e collection covers the options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA reformulation is usually a compromise. This one is closer to an admission that one texture was never going to suit every face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sunscreens\"\u003esunscreens\u003c\/a\u003e, explore \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/panthenol\"\u003ePanthenol (B5)\u003c\/a\u003e, or see more from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/beauty-of-joseon\"\u003eBeauty of Joseon\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Beauty of Joseon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50907452440910,"sku":"JSMSM03-SRA","price":11.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/JSMSM03-SRA.png?v=1778671450"},{"product_id":"dr-althea-reju-5000-cream","title":"Dr. Althea Reju 5000 Cream","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoothing gel-cream that calms and strengthens the barrier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVegan PDRN and 5% Centella water with triple hyaluronic acid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor sensitive, redness-prone and dehydrated skin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSkin that reddens easily needs its barrier rebuilt more than it needs another calming ingredient laid over the top. The Dr. Althea Reju 5000 Cream leads with Centella Asiatica leaf water at 50,000ppm and a triple hyaluronic acid blend, the work of a South Korean derma brand that formulates around recovery rather than results by Friday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCentella Asiatica calms the response that shows up as redness:\u003c\/strong\u003e At 50,000ppm, Centella leaf water is the base this gel-cream is built on, settling the inflammatory activity in skin that has been over-stimulated. Skin that stings after cleansing quietens instead of flushing further.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree weights of hyaluronic acid hold water at different depths:\u003c\/strong\u003e High and low molecular weight forms sit at different levels of the upper skin while the hydrolysed form travels furthest, so hydration is distributed rather than parked on the surface. Comfort lasts through the day instead of fading an hour after application.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehind them sit ferment-derived PDRN and rhEGF, both chosen for repair:\u003c\/strong\u003e The PDRN here is made by ferment rather than drawn from salmon and sits at 5,000ppm alongside rhEGF, a growth factor whose reputation, like PDRN's, was built in injectable and wound-repair medicine where recovery is the whole point. Bringing that pairing into a cream you reach for every morning is the newer move, and the topical research on both is still being written.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt behaves like a jelly rather than a cream, breaking to water on contact and vanishing in a few seconds. Nothing is left sitting on the surface to pill or slide, so sunscreen and makeup go on over it cleanly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e All skin types, including normal, dry, combination and skin that reddens easily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Redness, stinging and tightness, a worn-down barrier, dehydration and early loss of firmness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e If you have been reaching for a soothing cream every few weeks and the redness keeps coming back, this is the one built to break that cycle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is ferment-derived PDRN the same as the salmon kind?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: They are the same class of ingredient reached by two different routes. Salmon PDRN is purified from fish DNA, while this version is produced by ferment, arriving at the same class of DNA fragment without an animal input. Topical research sits at a similar stage for both, so the useful thing to compare is the level stated on the box rather than the origin of the raw material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is it different from a basic soothing cream?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: A basic soothing cream comforts the surface, and the effect ends when it wears off. The Dr. Althea Reju 5000 Cream is aimed at the barrier itself, with hydration placed at three depths and a repair-focused pair of actives on top, so the goal is skin that reacts less next month rather than skin that feels better for an hour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use this alongside retinoids or exfoliating acids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Yes. It takes the moisturiser slot, going on after cleansing, toner and any serum, and under sunscreen in the morning. Because it is built on Centella and hyaluronic acid rather than acids of its own, it does not compete with a retinoid or exfoliant used earlier, and it is a sensible thing to land on once those have left skin tender.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the Reju 5000 Cream during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. The rhEGF in the formula, listed as sh-Oligopeptide-1, is a newer skincare ingredient with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. The vegan PDRN, Centella and hyaluronic acid are not the concern; the growth factor alone is what makes this a cream to set aside until afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 5,000 in the name is the PDRN, and the quieter number is the Centella at ten times that, which is what lets a repair cream be one you can wear every single day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore the \u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/centella-asiatica\"\u003ecentella asiatica collection\u003c\/a\u003e for complementary soothing treatments to pair with this cream.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/centella-asiatica\"\u003eCentella asiatica\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/sensitive-skin\"\u003eSensitive skin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca class=\"sn-ilink\" href=\"\/collections\/dr-althea\"\u003eMore from Dr. Althea\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Dr. Althea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55245936001358,"sku":"DRAS01-CRrj","price":19.9,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/DRAS01-CRrj.png?v=1778671451"},{"product_id":"medicube-egf-nad-firming-gel-mask","title":"Medicube EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEGF and NAD with Niacinamide, Collagen and Ectoin in a firming gel sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo-piece hydrogel that clings around the eyes and mouth without sliding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuits normal, dry and combination skin wanting a firmer, bouncier finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA gel mask holds its essence against the skin far longer than a paper sheet, which makes it the natural format for a firming step. This one carries the two ingredients Medicube built its firming range around: EGF, a lab-made copy of a growth-signalling protein the skin produces itself, and NAD, the coenzyme cells use to make energy. Medicube formulates in South Korea around measured, results-led skincare, and the EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask is the intensive, once-in-a-while step of that range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEGF and NAD target the skin's renewal machinery.\u003c\/strong\u003e sh-Oligopeptide-1, the EGF of the name, sits at Medicube's stated 0.01001 ppm alongside six related sh-polypeptides, and NAD at 10.1 ppm. Both earned their reputations in clinical and wound-healing research, and study of them in topical skincare is still building.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiacinamide evens tone and strengthens the barrier.\u003c\/strong\u003e It limits the melanin that reaches the surface and prompts skin to make more of its own ceramides. Ectoin, a moisture-holding molecule first found in microbes that survive desert heat and salt, keeps skin comfortable while the mask is on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA dense peptide blend works on firmness.\u003c\/strong\u003e Alongside the growth-factor peptides, the gel carries signal peptides including Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, with Collagen holding water at the surface for a plumper finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe gel is thick, cool and slippery, and the two pieces hold close around the eyes and mouth even when you move. It turns transparent as the essence is drawn in, which is Medicube's signal that it is done, and what is left behind absorbs without tack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e The formula contains fragrance and carmine, a red colour from cochineal, so it is not plant-only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e Normal, dry and combination skin, and oily skin that prefers a gel to a cream.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loss of firmness, fine lines, dullness and dehydration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e People who want a firming mask to lean on before an event or at the end of a long week, and who prefer a gel that stays put over a paper sheet that dries out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is a gel mask different from a regular sheet mask?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: A regular sheet mask is fabric soaked in liquid essence, and it starts drying out the moment it touches the skin. A gel mask holds the essence inside the gel itself, so it stays cool and wet for the whole sitting and releases the formula steadily. It also sits heavier and closer to the face, which is why this one comes in two pieces shaped around the eyes and mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Does \"sh\" in sh-Oligopeptide-1 mean the EGF comes from human tissue?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No. The sh prefix stands for synthetic human: the peptide is made in a laboratory to match the structure of the growth factor human skin produces, rather than being taken from any human or animal source. It is the standard way EGF appears on a cosmetic ingredient list.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Where does the mask go in a routine, and does it work with retinoids or vitamin C?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: After cleansing and toner, and before serum and moisturiser. Nothing in it conflicts with retinoids or vitamin C, so it slots into an evening routine that already carries them, and it is a comfortable choice on nights you skip your retinoid.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the EGF NAD Firming Gel Mask during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. EGF, listed as sh-Oligopeptide-1, and NAD are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy, so the precaution is to set this mask aside until afterwards. Masks built on hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and peptides without growth factors cover the same hydrating and firming ground in the meantime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming is usually sold as a long game, and a gel sheet is the one version of it that fits neatly into a single evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/masks-and-peels\"\u003emasks and peels\u003c\/a\u003e, see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medicube\"\u003eMedicube\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medicube","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60976546906446,"sku":"MECUP21-MG1","price":4.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/MCUBE0109.webp?v=1790531061"},{"product_id":"medicube-egf-nad-firming-serum","title":"Medicube EGF NAD Firming Serum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkin-Nomad's Take — At a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEGF at 2.5 ppm and NAD at 1 ppm with Niacinamide and Ectoin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight water texture that absorbs fast and leaves no sticky layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuits every skin type, including oily skin wanting firmness without weight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming serums are often thick and rich, which suits dry skin and leaves oily and combination skin skipping the step. Medicube's EGF NAD Firming Serum puts EGF, a growth-signalling peptide, and NAD, the energy coenzyme, into a water-light texture, from the South Korean brand's firming line built around those two ingredients. On Medicube's own testing, smile lines looked 9% softer after two weeks.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEGF and NAD address renewal at its source.\u003c\/strong\u003e sh-Oligopeptide-1, a lab-made copy of the growth factor skin uses to prompt repair, sits at Medicube's stated 2.5 ppm, and NAD, the coenzyme cells burn for energy, at 1 ppm. Both built their reputations in clinical and wound-healing research, and topical study of them is still developing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNiacinamide brightens and reinforces the barrier.\u003c\/strong\u003e It limits how much melanin reaches the surface and prompts skin to make more of its own ceramides, so tone looks more even and skin holds water better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEctoin and a xylitol complex keep skin hydrated.\u003c\/strong\u003e Ectoin, first found in microbes that survive desert heat and salt, protects the skin's water balance, while xylitol and its partner sugars draw water into the surface layers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBerry extracts, glutathione and peptides add an antioxidant layer.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cranberry, blueberry, bilberry, elderberry and raspberry extracts sit alongside glutathione and signal peptides including Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Octapeptide-3, which suits a morning routine under sunscreen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTexture \u0026amp; Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA light, watery serum that spreads easily and absorbs within moments, with no tacky film left behind. It sits cleanly under moisturiser and sunscreen in the morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin types:\u003c\/strong\u003e All skin types, including oily and combination skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkin concerns:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loss of firmness, fine lines, dullness and dehydration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest used by:\u003c\/strong\u003e People in their thirties and beyond who want firming actives in their routine but find richer serums too heavy for daytime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How is an EGF serum different from a retinoid serum?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Retinoids speed up cell turnover through retinoic acid receptors, and most people need to build up to them gradually. EGF works through a different receptor on the skin's surface cells and needs no adjustment period, so it suits morning and evening use from the start. The two approaches are complementary rather than alternatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is EGF only worth using on mature skin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: No. EGF is a signalling protein every skin makes, involved in everyday renewal as well as repair. It is usually marketed at mature skin because firmness is the concern that grows with age, but this serum's light texture and niacinamide suit younger skin that wants to look after firmness early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: When should I use it, and does it work with vitamin C or acids?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: Medicube designed it for morning and evening. Apply it after toner and before moisturiser, and in the morning finish with sunscreen as the last step. Nothing in the formula conflicts with vitamin C, exfoliating acids or retinoids, so it slots under an evening retinoid as easily as a morning vitamin C.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Can I use the EGF NAD Firming Serum during pregnancy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA: We recommend pausing it. EGF and NAD are the reason this serum exists, and both are newer skincare ingredients with no clinical safety data in pregnancy. For firmness and hydration while pregnant, a serum built on peptides, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide without growth factors is the better choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirming care that feels like water is the kind that gets used every morning, and consistency is where firmness is actually won.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-claims\"\u003e\u003csmall\u003e* Medicube clinical testing carried out by the Global Institute of Dermatological Sciences: visible smile lines reduced 8.7% and visible neck lines reduced 5.38% after two weeks. The brand also reports radiance improvements of 2.9% on the forehead, 2.2% around the eyes, 2.49% at the corners of the mouth and 2.9% on the cheeks, with no timeframe stated. Brand-run testing rather than an independent trial; participant count not published. Results vary between individuals.\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"sn-explore-more\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExplore more\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBrowse more \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/serums\"\u003eserums\u003c\/a\u003e, see our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/peptides\"\u003epeptide\u003c\/a\u003e formulas, or explore the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/medicube\"\u003eMedicube\u003c\/a\u003e range.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Medicube","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60976549364046,"sku":"MECUS21-S","price":16.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0798\/5057\/0062\/files\/1_93b3862d-7bad-4366-bf7f-0f91121ff5d2.webp?v=1790530380"}],"url":"https:\/\/skin-nomad.fr\/collections\/egf.oembed","provider":"Skin-Nomad","version":"1.0","type":"link"}