What is Ovine Placenta and how does it benefit the skin?
At MZ Skin, our bestselling Rest & Revive Restorative Placenta and Stem Cell Night Serum and Replenish & Restore Placenta and Stem Cell Night Recovery Mask feature a unique anti-ageing ingredient; Ovine Placenta. Here we answer some frequently asked questions regarding this ingredient and how it benefits the skin.
What properties does ‘placenta’ as a skincare ingredient have – what’s it good for?
Placenta is considered effective in firming, lifting and hydrating the skin. It can also treat inflammation such as acne-prone skin and heal skin barriers, damaged by over-exfoliation, for example. Specifically, the stem cells from ovine (sheep) placenta are also used for their anti-ageing properties as they can promote collagen and elastin production, which declines by 25% by our mid 40s.
Which bits of the placenta are extracted for skincare and how exactly do they work on the skin?
The placenta is obtained by lysing (breaking apart) the placental tissue. The extracts are rich in a wide range of proteins, minerals, and amino acids that help reduce skin conditions caused by inflammation such as acne, premature ageing, rosacea.
Which animals can it be harvested come from and why did you choose ovine?
Our formulator had a contact at a small rural sheep farm in New Zealand where it is extracted ethically and safely, as a by-product at a birth. Our farm extracts the ingredient post birth which follows the normal process. It’s always been a mission of Dr. Zamani to ensure MZ Skin is a cruelty free brand.
Has anyone ever used human placenta?
With regard to human placenta, Scientists have developed a way to harvest stem cells efficiently from placentas after birth, which can be used to treat a wide range of illnesses including sickle cell disease, thalassaemia and leukaemia.
Are there studies behind the ingredient?
It is a relatively new ingredient and growing in popularity. At this stage though, there is research that claims placental products moisturise and tighten skin. At MZ Skin our own clinical studies on Rest & Revive and Replenish & Restore showed very positive results including proven to decrease wrinkle depth up to 14.4% after 1 month.
The science, and ways we can use placenta are increasing all the time, as we can see that from the example above. Placenta is really in the same category as stem cells. Stem cells are the body’s master cells and can be turned into almost any type of tissue. The most versatile come from embryos but, because harvesting these results in the destruction of the embryo scientists are investigating other sources. Adults have stem cells too, for example in bone marrow, but these are less versatile than their embryonic cousins.
How does it compare to other anti-ageing ingredients such as peptides and retinol?
Dr. Zamani says she loves it as an ingredient because I have seen the results for myself. I use Rest & Revive every evening and actually skin smoothness can be improved after just one use! Of course, Retinol can have similar effect and peptides help to stimulate collagen and elastin too. Skin care ingredients often work synergistically to get optimum results hence why we are told to layer products. We understand it can all be a little overwhelming; for example amino acids stick together to create peptides, having 3 or more peptides together becomes pro-collagen. At MZ Skin Dr. Zamani has created a precise and concise collection of products with all the best and most necessary ingredients to get your skin at its best health.
What is the difference between plant and animal sourced stem cells?
The Stem cells in these products are Asparagus Stem Cells. There are surprising similarities but in plants, the stele is the central part of the root or stem that contains the vascular tissues. In animals, stem cells can be found in most tissues of the body. Furthermore, whereas animal stem cells are in general responsible for maintaining a specific tissue, plant stem cells generate complete organs, and as such resemble animal embryonic stem (ES) cells, which are the most versatile.
There is also bio-placenta used as an ingredient – where does that comes from?
Bio-Placenta is the combination of five synthesised growth factors, Vitamin B9, and Acetylated Glutamine. It shows efficacy in terms of anti-wrinkle and anti-aging properties.
Is there anyone who should avoid the use of Placenta?
Anyone can use Placenta; it doesn’t carry the same risks as Retinoids or Vitamin A. However, as a brand we do err on the side of caution and for anyone unsure, we would always recommend they seek their medical practitioners guidance first.