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Medically Reviewed by What Is LifeCell?
LifeCell is an anti-wrinkle cream is a topical skin care treatment developed by South Beach Skincare company. LifeCell cream is available on their website and on Amazon.
The product claims to reduce the look of wrinkles, skin tightening and reducing facial discoloration as well as defending against UV damage. The official website[1] also claims that it will make the lips plumper and fuller.
This product attributes its anti-aging properties to its high concentration of antioxidants.
LifeCell Skin Care Review – Health Insiders Images
LifeCell – Quick Facts
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*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
- Form: Cream
- Type:
- Brand: LifeCell
- Price: $189
- Benefit: Reduce the look of wrinkles, Skin tightening and Reducing facial discoloration as well as Defending against UV damage
- Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol (Vitamin A), DMAE (Deanol) , Ubiquinone, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) and Plant Stem Cells
Pros And Cons of LifeCell
- Product contains retinol and Vitamin C which collectively have been shown in literature to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, promote collagen synthesis and improve dyspigmentation.
- Concentration of retinol is unclear–over-the-counter topical retinols, in general, are less potent that prescription strength retinoids. Unlikely to experience dramatic improvement in wrinkles, fine lines.
- Some customers say it either made no difference in the appearance of fine lines despite long-term use. Other have noted skin irritation and breakouts with short-term use.
- The manufacturer’s claim of stem cell research is unclear and improperly supported.
- The science behind promoting skin firmness is unclear and has limited evidence supporting such claims.
How Does It Work? | The Science Behind LifeCell
The claim of the manufacturer is that the vitamins and other antioxidants in this product can repair damaged cells as well as repair the protective skin barrier and replenish skin hydration.
According to National Institute of Health[1] topical retinol and Vitamin C may help improve skin texture and noninvasively reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with long-term use.
LifeCell Ingredients – What to Look For?
There are 6 key active ingredients in this cream. The manufacturer doesn’t mention whether there are any accompanying inactive ingredients.
Here are some of the main substances included:
Hyaluronic Acid – It’s a natural acid which is found in abundance in the skin. Hyaluronic acid draws liquid to it, which makes it an excellent moisturizer.
Research published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules[2] (Bukhari, et al, 2018) found that, “HA, alone or in combination with lidocaine and other co-agents, showed promising efficacy in skin tightness and elasticity, face rejuvenation, improving aesthetics, reducing wrinkle scars, longevity, and tear trough rejuvenation.”
Retinol (Vitamin A) – A vitamin A derivative is helpful in the treatment of acne and for anti-aging. Topical Retin-A promotes cell turnover and is a non-invasive method for smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines.
DMAE (Deanol) – The benefits of topical use of deanol, a derivative of the B vitamin choline–a precursor of acetylcholine –is controversial. The role of deanol in the skin as a modulator for antiaging, and improving skin firmness has yet to be clearly elucidated in studies published in the Am J Clin Dermatol[3] by Grossman R. in 2005. The benefit of deanol in a dermatologist is its potential anti-inflammatory effect. Studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of deanol compared to other skin-care regimens.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Ubiquinone – This is a prenylated protein and functions as an antioxidant at the cellular level. The substance, also called coenzyme Q, plays a role in muscle functioning. Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10) is diminished with age. Knott and colleagues (2015) further evaluated the role of topical treatment with Ubiquinone on anti-aging and found that aging and stressed skin benefits from the topical Q10 treatment as it increases the antioxidant capacity of the skin.
Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C) – A compound made up of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and palmitic acid (a natural fatty acid). Vitamin C, in general, inhibits the cross-linking of collagen and oxidation of proteins and collectively over time may help with cellular aging. A recent discovery of its antioxidant properties has been shown to work synergistically with Vitamin E, also with antioxidant properties.
Plant Stem Cells – Defined as undifferentiated cells found in the meristem of the plant has not been shown in clinical or evidence-based trials to provide anti-aging, skin firming effects when applied topically. Further research is required to explore the benefits of viable plant stem cells.
LifeCell Alternatives
There are other anti-wrinkle creams you can try if you are not sold on LifeCell. In the following section we will give a few examples of alternatives to LifeCell and see how they compare:
| Brand | Price | Active Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| LifeCell | $189 | Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, Deanol, Ubiquinone |
| Peptide Night Cream | $46 | Peptides, Shea Butter, Cholesterol, Ceramides, Allantoin, Vitamin E |
| NO BS Skincare | Approximately $30-45 | Vitamin C, Maringo Oil, Mango Seed Butter, Hyaluronic Acid, Jojoba Oil, Apricot Oil, Vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10 |
| Crepe Erase | $49.95 | Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Beeswax |
| Lush Lift Cream | $21.39 | Ceramides 2, Argireline, and Matrixyl 3000 |
| Meaningful Beauty | Variable | Palmitic Acid (Age recovery Cream), Sodium Hydroxide (Skin Softening Cleanser), Dextrin Palmitate (Plumping Lip Gloss) |
| Miami MD Cream | $49 | Progeline, Haloxyl, Matrixyl 3000, Eyeliss, Argireline, Acetyl Hexapeptide |
As you can see, the prices of the high-quality creams are very similar. To distinguish between them, do some research on the ingredients in each one.
Is LifeCell Safe? – Warnings & Complaints
The safety profile of this topical is limited. Reports of skin irritation, burning and acne breakouts have contributed to limited use for consumers.
LifeCell Customer Reviews & Results
Per consumer reviews, there has been limited to no improvement in facial wrinkles for a majority of the reported consumers. Consumers have been noted to be disappointed in the product despite consistent use of the cream for weeks.
LifeCell: Packages, Deals, Prices & Where to Buy It
On the official website, you can only purchase the product by signing up for a free trial month. The cost is free, but you pay $4.25 for shipping.
If you don’t like the product, you have to return it within 30 days, or you’ll be billed $189 for the first month.
At this point you’ll be signed up for the subscription, where you’ll get a new cream every 60 days and be billed $149[1].
The product is available from other online retailers for the price of $189.
Final Verdict
LifeCell cream contains ingredients that may be potentially helpful for anti-aging and improving skin texture –including retinol, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin C. However, successful results of consistent use of this topical is limited by consumer reviews and scientific evidence. Consult with your dermatologist if you have any skin rashes, facial acne, dry and/or sensitive skin prior to use.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
Is There Anything Else You Should Know About LifeCell?
Here are a few tips to keep in mind with regards to the product:
- Some people have an allergic reaction to a new product. Do a test on a small patch of skin before you start using this cream.
- Make sure you follow the directions as stated, or you may not get the desired effect.
- The product won’t start working right away, and it may take a few weeks. Compliance is key for successful results for any topical use.
- If you see any kind of rash or reaction, stop using the product immediately.
LifeCell – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to Use LifeCell?
A: Wash your face using a gentle cleanser, and gently dry with a towel. Apply a pea-sized amount of the cream to the entire face twice daily–morning and evening.
Q: Does LifeCell Work?
A: This product has potentially given it contains topical retinol and vitamin C; however, the evidence behind the product is limited. Consumer reviews have shown equivocal or no impact on facial wrinkles, skin firmness. The product has been reported to improve skin hydration in some. Caution with use for those with acne-prone and dry, sensitive skin.
Q: Does LifeCell Have Any Side Effects?
A: There are no side effects mentioned on the official website, but there were a couple of customer reviews that noted acne breakouts, skin irritation, and facial rashes. Recommendations include using a small amount in a small area on the skin (as a test spot) and increase use from 1-2 times weekly to nightly as tolerated. The topical retinol in the cream may be irritating, especially for those with dry, sensitive skin.
Q: Can I Use LifeCell If I Have A Health Condition?
A: You can’t use this cream if you’re pregnant as topical retinol is considered a pregnancy category C. Caution with use on the skin if you have a history of allergic contact dermatitis, facial rashes, and open sores. Consultation with a dermatologist is essential if you have any of the above or are concerned about use.
Q: What Is LifeCell Moneyback Guarantee, Return & Refund Policy?
A: If you are dissatisfied with the product, you have to return it within 30 days from the date of purchase. That way you won’t be charged $189 for the first month after the trial.
3 Sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Pullar JM, Carr AC, Vissers MCM. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 12;9(8):866. doi: 10.3390/nu9080866. PMID: 28805671; PMCID: PMC5579659.
[2] Syed Nasir Abbas Bukhari, Nur Liyana Roswandi, Muhammad Waqas, Haroon Habib, Fahad Hussain, Shahzeb Khan, Muhammad Sohail, Nor Amlizan Ramli, Hnin Ei Thu, Zahid Hussain, Hyaluronic acid, a promising skin rejuvenating biomedicine: A review of recent updates and pre-clinical and clinical investigations on cosmetic and nutricosmetic effects, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Volume 120, Part B, 2018, Pages 1682-1695, ISSN 0141-8130, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.188..
[3] Grossman R. The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. doi: 10.2165/00128071-200506010-00005. PMID: 15675889.
Strong Evidence
Moderate Evidence
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Rina Allawh, M.D.
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Great products! Strongly Recommend!
I’ve used Life Cell facial products for 7 years, and could not be more satisfied with the results…no adverse reactions at all. Absolutely love the LifeCell products!
Most Amazing Skin Care Products I Ever Used
I’ve been using LifeCell for more than two years. It is by far the best face product I have ever used. I’ve been in the sun for 30+ years and have the wrinkles and brown spots to prove it. LifeCell skincare actually lightens my brown spots and smooths out my lines so much it amazes me still. I’m a senior on social security and have very limited funds. LifeCell anti-aging cream is my one indulgence and is worth every penny.
Good results
I started noticing wrinkles about five years ago. I’ve tried many things to try to get rid of them, but most of them either don’t work at all or what they do is very temporary. I wanted something that could work permanently, so I decided to try Lifecell after reading positive reviews. It’s been working very well for me. I think if I continue to use it, I will only continue to see good results.