Over the last few years the term ‘stem cell’ has been bouncing about, causing some controversy along the way. They are most often associated with human embryos, whereas they are actually found in all living multi-cellular organisms.
Recently the use of stem cells in skincare has become an exciting development. However, it is important to remember that these cells are derived from plants and not humans.

Stem cells are exciting because they have the potential to develop into a wide variety of different cell types in the body. When a stem cell divides, it can either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell – for example a skin cell. Applied topically, the cells then to help protect the human skin stem cells from damage and deterioration or stimulate the skin’s own stem cells.

In 2007 luxury skincare brand ReVive launched Peau Magnifique, the fist stem cell skincare to hit the market. The product claims long-term use “will result in a generation of new skin cells, firmer skin with a 45 per cent reduction in wrinkles and increased long-term skin clarity”. Said to be Naomi Campbell’s moisturiser of choice it is priced at a whopping £1,050, so if you’re thinking of indulging you may well need a super-model’s salary.

However, the use of plant stem cells in skincare is not without it’s controversy. Opposition to the use of stem cells say that any product that claims to affect the growth of stem cells or the replication process is potentially extremely dangerous; it may not be able to be controlled and could lead to rampant replication or mutation. There are also ethical worries; some researchers believe that using stem cells for aesthetic, cosmetic reasons is trivial and superficial compared to more important medical stem cell research.