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DMAE has limited and inconclusive research associating
it with the skin in any way. What little research there
is about DMAE relate to its effect as an oral supplement
and the findings are mixed. The claims about it being
an ingredient that can repair skin come primarily from
Dr. N.V. Perricone's book The Wrinkle Cure, but his assertions
are not substantiated in any published study or research
paper.
DMAE, known chemically as 2-dimethyl-amino-ethanol, has
been available in Europe under the product name Deanol
for over 30 years. As an oral supplement it is popularly
known for improving mental alertness, much like Gingko
biloba and coenzyme Q10. However, the research about DMAE
does not show the same positive results found with the
other two supplements.
Aside from what it may do as an oral supplement, the
question about DMAE is whether or not a topical application
can prevent cell deterioration. Perricone's assertion
is that it can, though he doesn't cite a single source
that backs up his finding (other than himself and a study
where a cream containing DMAE that he sells was applied
by 17 of his own patients).
I was able to find one small study in Skin Research and
Technology (August 2002, page 164) that showed an increase
in skin firmness from a cream containing DMAE. However,
the study was done on only 30 subjects, the increase was
modest at best, and it did not report whether or not the
improvement lasted. Plus, one study is hardly proof positive
this ingredient is the answer to your skin care woes.
It is possible that DMAE can help protect the cell membrane,
and keeping cells intact can have benefit, but so far,
that appears to be only conjecture and not fact.
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