New Cell Cycle Catalyst: Skin Renewal Accelerating Serum for Boosted Anti-Aging Results

The Science Behind Cell Cycle Catalyst

Skin Cycle Accelerator for Renewal, Hydration, and Barrier Support

In the pursuit of age-defying and rejuvenated skin, the newest innovation from SkinCeuticals, Cell Cycle Catalyst, represents a significant breakthrough in skincare. This multi-acid serum accelerates cell turnover, provides all-day hydration, and revitalizes cellular energy to maximize receptivity to in-office procedures and amplify at-home skincare regimens. Key to Cell Cycle Catalyst’s role in anti-aging is the interplay of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids, along with the distinctive and unique characteristics of taurine. In a study, findings suggest that enhancement of NAD+ to revitalize cells of the epidermal barrier function, transepidermal water retention, and elasticity may contribute to the beneficial effects of taurine on the skin.¹

In clinical testing, Cell Cycle Catalyst demonstrated a statistical significance in skin exfoliation/cell turnover and increased hydration.² In inclusive clinical testing (Fitzpatrick types I-VI), Cell Cycle Catalyst demonstrated improvement in 8 key attributes of aging alone and as a part of a skincare regimen.²

For patients seeking optimal outcomes from professional or personal skincare routines, Cell Cycle Catalyst is an ideal preparatory and integrative step. As with every SkinCeuticals product, each ingredient is carefully chosen for the distinct role it plays in skin rejuvenation as well as how it synergistically facilitates the action of the others. With Cell Cycle Catalyst, the multi-acid combination is crafted with acids of varying molecular weights to allow the product to penetrate the skin at varying depths.Ingredients include: phytic acid; mandelic acid; salicylic acid; lactic acid; glycolic acid; and taurine.

Cell Cycle Catalyst’s debut of taurine, a pivotal ingredient for SkinCeuticals, targets the role of NAD+ in cellular metabolism and mitochondrial health. With age, levels of NAD+ decline, which leads to decreased cellular activity, resulting in visible signs of aging like fine lines and sagging.⁹ A study conducted using full thickness 3D cultured human skin evaluated the effects of taurine on NAD+ production.² Taurine was found to stimulate NAD+ production greater than positive control (0.05% niacinamide).

Cell Cycle Catalyst and the unique blend of ingredients creates an advancement in skincare, emphasizing gentle yet effective ingredients that work in concert to rejuvenate the skin. Through its proven efficacy and ability to improve the integrity of the skin barrier, this innovative formula provides a new option to achieving vibrant, youthful skin for diverse individuals seeking effective skincare solutions.

— Alison Murakami, PhD, VP and Head, Medical Affairs

Explain the skin cell cycle and why it is important to consider it in aging skin.

Dr. Lain: The term “cell cycle” refers to the life cycle and renewal (or turnover) process particularly of a skin cell. While the skin cell cycle in a younger person averages 6-8 weeks, aging slows this process. As we age, there is a decrease in cellular proliferation, driven by lower cellular energy and/or NAD+ levels. This leads to the accumulation of excess debris on the skin surface which can manifest as visible signs of aging such as dull, rough, and uneven skin tone and texture.

Why is it important to prepare the skin ahead of treatments?

Dr. Lain: The build-up of excess skin cells and debris can hinder the skin’s receptivity to anti-aging and skincare treatments as well as procedures. Treatments such as chemical peels or lasers rely on an even skin thickness to achieve consistent results over the entire surface. By preparing the skin ahead of the procedure with a skincare product that reduces cell accumulation, the results of the procedure will be more consistent and optimized.

Explain the key ingredients in Cell Cycle Catalyst and their role in cell turnover.

Dr. Lain: Cell Cycle Catalyst contains a 7.7% blend of alpha- and beta hydroxy acids to remove cellular debris. The multi-acid blend contains varying molecular weight acids such as 2% phytic acid, 1% mandelic acid, 0.2% salicylic acid, 2% lactic acid, and 2.5% glycolic acid. The new ingredient SkinCeuticals is introducing in this formulation is 1% taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that acts as an osmolyte to maintain cutaneous water homeostasis. It’s like an energy drink for cells, increasing NAD+ levels to stimulate cell energy and vitality. Taurine also plays a role in osmoregulation and stimulates skin barrier renewal.

How can patients incorporate Cell Cycle Catalyst into their regimen?

Dr. Lain: Although a blend of acids helps with exfoliation, the Cell Cycle Catalyst formulation is so gentle that, in my experience, people can easily integrate this as part of their daily regimen without concern for irritation or redness. I would recommend applying it once daily, either morning or evening paired with an antioxidant such as SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic or Resveratrol B E. Since it is a serum, it should be one of the first products applied to skin after cleansing. Applying moisturizer and daily sunscreen immediately after Cell Cycle Catalyst is an appropriate next step in a regimen.

How are you pairing Cell Cycle Catalyst with in-office procedures before and after?

Dr. Lain: Cell Cycle’s tolerability makes it very versatile. Current options to prepare the skin (such as retinoids) require a wash-out period to avoid irritation. In contrast, Cell Cycle Catalyst can be considered to prepare the skin with minimal wash-out periods and is shown to be tolerable in all Fitzpatrick groups. Based on clinical trial data showing efficacy as early as 1 week of use, I have patients start using Cell Cycle Catalyst about 2 weeks prior to their planned procedure, and restart Cell Cycle Catalyst either immediately after a non-ablative laser or once re-epithelialization has occurred with an ablative procedure or peeling has resolved after a chemical peel.

1. Yoshimura, Tomohisa et al. “Taurine accelerates the synthesis of ceramides and hyaluronic acid in cultured epidermis and dermal fibroblasts.” Experimental and therapeutic medicine vol. 26,5 512. 20 Sep. 2023, doi:10.3892/etm.2023.12211.

2. Data on file, SkinCeuticals.

3. Gentili, Giulia et al. “Efficacy and safety of a new peeling formulated with a pool of PHAs for the treatment of all skin types, even sensitive.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology vol. 22,2 (2023): 517-528. doi:10.1111/jocd.15215.

4. Jacobs, Stanley W, and Eric J Culbertson. “Effects of Topical Mandelic Acid Treatment on Facial Skin Viscoelasticity.” Facial plastic surgery: FPS vol. 34,6 (2018): 651-656. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1676048.

5. Arif, Tasleem. “Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review.” Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology vol. 8 455-61. 26 Aug. 2015, doi:10.2147/CCID.S84765.

6. Algiert-Zielińska, Barbara et al. “Lactic and lactobionic acids as typically moisturizing compounds.” International journal of dermatology vol. 58,3 (2019): 374-379. doi:10.1111/ijd.14202.

7. National Center for Biotechnology Information. “PubChem Compound Summary for CID 757, Glycolic Acid” PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Glycolic-Acid. Accessed 3 January, 2024.

8. Foster, April R et al. “Osmolyte transporter expression is reduced in photoaged human skin: Implications for skin hydration in aging.” Aging cell vol. 19,1 (2020): e13058. doi:10.1111/acel.13058.

9. McReynolds, Melanie R et al. “Age-related NAD+ decline.” Experimental gerontology, vol. 134 110888. 22 Feb. 2020, doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.110888.