Regu Age

What Is Regu-Age in Skincare?

Regu-Age is an eye-area complex, originally developed by Pentapharm and now sold by DSM-Firmenich, that combines soy protein and hydrolyzed rice protein peptides with an antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, an oxidoreductase) made by yeast fermentation. It is added at 2-5% to eye creams and serums to soften the look of under-eye puffiness and dark circles and to smooth the texture of the thin skin around the eyes.

Regu-Age Quick Facts

How Regu-Age Works on the Skin

Tired-looking eyes usually come from a mix of causes. A 2016 review by Vrcek, Ozgur and Nakra in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery describes dark circles as coming from pigment, visible blood vessels and blood pigments under thin skin, and shadows from hollows. Puffiness adds fluid and slackness on top. Regu-Age was designed to address the surface side of this picture with three parts:

• Soy and rice peptides: protein fragments the supplier describes as supporting the look of firmer, more resilient eye-area skin and a smoother texture.
• Superoxide dismutase (SOD): an antioxidant enzyme the skin also makes. It breaks down superoxide, one of the most common free radicals produced by sun and pollution.
• Microcirculation support: the supplier describes the complex as supporting capillary circulation and reducing iron-containing pigment in the eye area, which ties to the bluish look of vascular dark circles.

The human data comes from the manufacturer. As summarized by Life Extension magazine in 2011 from Pentapharm's unpublished data on file, 20 people aged 30 and older with dry, aging skin applied a soy and rice peptide complex twice a day for 8 weeks. Dark circles were 35% lower, puffiness 32% lower and skin texture 42% better, while the placebo group improved only slightly. The concentration was not stated in that summary. DSM-Firmenich's current technical listing on supplier data states more than 30% texture improvement in 4 weeks. These are supplier figures, not independent, peer-reviewed trials, and no independent study of Regu-Age was found for this entry.

How to Use Regu-Age

• Rate: use 5%, the top of the 2-5% range: 45 drops (about 1.5 g) per fl oz, or 22.5 drops in a 0.5 oz eye cream. House rate: 9 drops = 1% per fl oz.
• When to add: stir into a finished eye cream, gel or serum at room temperature, or into the water phase of your own emulsion once it has cooled below 40°C (104°F). Heat can damage the enzyme.
• pH: keep the finished product between pH 5.5 and 8.0.
• Base: light gels and lotions suit the eye area best.
• Pairing: for vascular, bluish dark circles, combine it with Haloxyl at 3%. For a firmer-looking eye contour, add amino acid sequence ingredients such as Argireline or Matrixyl 3000.
• Storage: keep the bottle capped, cool and out of light, and protect blends from heat.

Simple Regu-Age Eye Gel (5%)

1. Measure 0.5 oz (about 15 g) of a plain, preserved eye gel or light eye cream base into a clean bowl.
2. Add 22.5 drops (about 0.75 g) of Regu-Age Eye Serum Booster.
3. Stir for 2 minutes until fully blended, then fill an airless pump.
4. Pat a rice-grain amount along the orbital bone morning and night. Keep it out of the eye itself.

Plan on 8 weeks of twice-daily use, the length of the manufacturer study, before judging results.

For a full routine for tired-looking eyes, see how to layer Haloxyl and GHK-Cu for tired eyes.

Who Regu-Age Suits

Regu-Age suits anyone with morning puffiness, bluish or tired-looking under-eye circles, or crepey eye-area texture. It is less useful for shadows caused by deep hollows, which need volume or light-reflecting concealer, or for brown circles from pigment, which respond better to brightening ingredients. Because it contains soy protein, avoid it if you have a known soy allergy.

Sensitive skin: the eye area is the thinnest skin on the face. Patch test on the inner arm for 24 hours, then start at the lowest rate, 2% (18 drops per fl oz), and work up to 5% over a few weeks if your skin stays comfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Regu-Age?

Regu-Age is an eye-area complex of soy and rice protein peptides with the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. It is used at 2-5% in eye creams and serums for the look of puffiness and dark circles.

Does Regu-Age work for dark circles and puffiness?

Manufacturer data reports it does. In Pentapharm's 8-week study of 20 people, dark circles were 35% lower and puffiness 32% lower with twice-daily use, but no independent study was found.

What percentage of Regu-Age should I use?

Use 2-5%, with 5% as the top rate. That is 45 drops per fl oz, or 22.5 drops in a 0.5 oz eye cream; sensitive skin should start at 2%.

How long does Regu-Age take to work?

The supplier reports texture changes within 4 weeks, and the dark circle and puffiness results were measured at 8 weeks. Plan on 8 weeks of twice-daily use.

Can I use Regu-Age with Haloxyl?

Yes. They are commonly combined in eye formulas, with Haloxyl aimed at the bluish color of vascular circles and Regu-Age at puffiness and texture.

Is Regu-Age safe for sensitive skin?

It is generally well tolerated in eye products. Patch test for 24 hours, start at 2%, and avoid it if you have a soy allergy.

Shop Regu-Age at Skin Perfection

Blend your own with the Regu-Age Eye Serum Booster, or browse this collection, which also includes Uplift Eye Cream and the Youth Serum Collagen Peptide and Tightening Treatment.

Sources

• DSM (Pentapharm), Regu-Age technical data sheet, distributor copy: appearance, pH, incorporation temperature (supplier data).
• Vrcek I, Ozgur O, Nakra T. Infraorbital dark circles: a review of the pathogenesis, evaluation and treatment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. 2016. PubMed 27398005
• Skin Perfection, Regu-Age Eye Serum Booster product page: usage rate 2-5%.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.