Up to 40× Higher Delivery of Active Ingredients: How Does DrySerum Compare to Regular Cosmetics?

…and no preservatives or other chemicals, with clinically proven results. Read how DrySerum achieves these differences.

Author Ing. Markéta Králíková | 16. 3. 2024

The effectiveness of cosmetics on skin quality largely depends on the ability of the products to deliver active ingredients to the deeper layers of the skin. Therefore, traditional face masks, creams, and serums include carriers that help overcome the skin barrier. However, their disadvantage is lower stability, which leads to the gradual degradation of active ingredients.

We covered all of this in detail in our previous article. We also mentioned that DrySerum, a dry serum, uses a network of fine nanofibers as a carrier, which stabilizes the active ingredients without preservatives or other additives.

First Difference: Amount of Active Ingredients and Their Delivery to the Skin

Thanks to the fact that DrySerum does not need any auxiliary compounds, it contains active ingredients in up to 100% concentration. For other cosmetics, the average ratio of active ingredients to additives is as follows (excluding carriers):

regular serums – 15%,
regular creams – 5%,
regular face masks – 2%.

The amount of active ingredients that actually get absorbed into the skin also differs. DrySerum forms a protective film immediately after application on damp skin, preventing dehydration and supporting serum absorption. As a result, absorption reaches up to 80%. Simply put: up to 80% of the active compounds reach the skin (epidermis) within 4 minutes.

These substances either work directly on the skin's surface (protection against pollution, antioxidants), or penetrate deep into the skin layers, where they combat signs of aging and deep wrinkles.

In the case of other types of cosmetics, the average delivery rate of active ingredients is 25% for regular serums, 5% for ordinary creams, and 2% for face masks – that is, 40 times less compared to DrySerum.

Why is that? Regular cosmetics contain significantly fewer active ingredients due to the presence of water and auxiliary substances. Compared to DrySerum, they deliver to 1 cm2 of skin:

4 times fewer active ingredients (ordinary serum),
8 times fewer effective compounds (regular cream),
24 times fewer active ingredients (normal cosmetic mask).

Additionally, due to the method of application, a significant portion of the product remains on the hands and never reaches the skin.

The speed at which active ingredients are transferred from the mask/patch to your skin is also crucial. The dry serum dissolves immediately upon application, and the ingredients are quickly absorbed into your skin. With traditional cosmetic masks, only about half of the active ingredients are released during a 30-minute application.

It is therefore quite clear that the overall effectiveness of such cosmetic products is significantly lower. Thus, while DrySerum reduces wrinkle length, depth, and quantity by an average of 20% after a week of use (see below), regular cosmetic products offer at most a 2% reduction.

In terms of effectiveness, dry serum approaches the effect of Botox injections, but unlike them, the application is painless and can be easily done at home or on the go.

For better clarity, we have summarized all the important numbers in this table:

Second Difference: Significantly Different Composition

From the previous paragraphs, it is clear that the advantage of our dry serum compared to regular products lies not only in the active ingredients it contains but also in the absence of auxiliary substances (additives). These are used to improve the product's properties, but many of them are suspected of having a negative impact on skin and health.

In this context, parabens, a group of substances that serve as preservatives to prevent the growth of microorganisms in cosmetics, are often mentioned. However, they often lead to irritation in sensitive skin. Moreover, some studies suggest they mimic the activity of the female hormone estrogen and may cause breast tumors [1, 2].

Emulsifiers aren't doing much better, which allow for better mixing of oily and water-soluble components, thereby increasing their absorption into the skin. Commonly used emulsifiers in the cosmetic industry include polysorbate or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These compounds can disrupt the outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) and its barrier function. They also frequently irritate the skin and cause inflammation (dermatitis) [3, 4].

Traditional cosmetics also contain various colorants and fragrances, which are often intolerable for people with allergies or eczema.

In addition to plant-based active ingredients, DrySerum also uses pullulan, a biopolymer obtained through fermentation, which is the main component of the nanofibers. Pullulan protects enzymes, nucleic acids, and other concentrated cosmetic ingredients from degradation as a natural capsule, preserving their functionality. After applying the mask or patch, it immediately dissolves and transfers all the substances to the deeper layers of the skin (see above) [5].

Hydrolyzed collagen is an essential part of the dry serum due to its ability to smooth wrinkles and increase skin hydration and elasticity. According to studies, it stimulates the production of natural collagen in the deeper layers of the skin. Its rejuvenating effect is also important as it counteracts the negative impact of UV radiation [6–9].

Each DrySerum formulation also contains a combination of at least three extracts with a natural Botox effect: extracts from Acmella oleracea, snowdrop, and stevia, which have clinically proven effects on rapid wrinkle reduction [10–12].

All DrySerum products also include extract from Moringa oleifera seeds, which suppresses free radicals [13, 14]. This extract forms a protective shield on the skin's surface, preventing harmful substances from settling in. The composition of individual products varies slightly depending on their purpose.

DrySerum 7-Day Program

Our flagship product is the 7-Day Program – a comprehensive facial rejuvenation treatment in 7 days. It consists of 10 masks with 5 different effects (also available for purchase separately).

DrySerum Peeling contains extracts from papaya, cranberry, and pomegranate with an enzymatic peeling effect that helps remove dead skin cells [15–17]. Wasabi root extract reduces swelling and skin irritation [18], while microalgae extract Nannochloropsis helps soothe irritated skin and restore a healthy microbiome [19].

DrySerum Antioxidant offers (through green tea leaf extract) strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and protection of the skin against external factors and UV radiation [20, 21]. Regeneration and support for blood circulation is provided by rosemary leaf extract [22, 23]. Acai fruit extract, rich in vitamin C, effectively combats skin aging, revitalizes the skin, and gives it a more youthful appearance [24].

DrySerum Anti-Wrinkle reduces wrinkles and rejuvenates the skin. In addition to Acmella, stevia, and snowdrop extracts, it contains viola tricolor extract, which helps with long-term skin hydration. Extract from orange blossom flowers, red maple bark, and turmeric stem cells stimulates the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid [25, 26]. Increased production of these components leads to skin rejuvenation. A mixture of antioxidants and extracts from moringa and rose of Jericho [13, 14] protects the skin from external damage.

DrySerum Anti-Aging ensures skin rejuvenation and long-term protection. It contains extracts from Japanese kelp and sea plankton Pavlova lutheri, which protect the skin from external pollutants [27]. Extracts from algae of the genera Haematococcus and Cylindrotheca also contribute to the prevention of premature skin aging [28–31]. Extract from the algae Nannochloropsis is used to soothe the skin [32].

One of the most important ingredients in the DrySerum Zen mask for mental well-being and skin health is an extract from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia. This promotes serotonin production [33, 34]. Acmella oleracea extract acts as a natural muscle relaxant and helps reduce facial wrinkles [35, 36]. An extract from olive stem cells improves the function and biogenesis of mitochondria, contributing to energy production for skin cells and aiding their regeneration.

Magic Eye Patches

The Magic Eye Patches treatment also lasts 7 days but focuses on smoothing and rejuvenating the eye contours. It also aims to remove dark circles under the eyes. The effect is the same as with the 7-Day Program, averaging a 20% reduction in wrinkles.

The package contains 10 patches, which are applied over 7 days, usually in the morning (and on three days also in the evening). The main active ingredients include the previously mentioned turmeric extracts, orange fruit, snowdrop, or hydrolyzed viola tricolor extract.

Additionally, it contains extracts from:

white pine and pomegranate to combat pigmentation and spots [37],
coffee beans and hypersaline bacteria to reduce under-eye bags,
baobab to quickly tighten and smooth eye contours.

Third Difference: Clinically Proven Effects

DrySerum production is based on more than 10 years of research in cosmetic nanofibers – and that's why we took a scientific approach to verifying the effects of dry serum.

In 2022, we conducted a clinical study in collaboration with the foreign cosmetics laboratory Bionos Biotech. The study involved 20 women aged 40 to 65 with various skin types and visible wrinkles in the forehead area. For 7 days, the volunteers applied masks from the 7-Day Program to their faces, and none of them used any other cosmetic products during the treatment.

Before the study began (Day 0) and after it ended (Day 7), experienced dermatologists measured the depth, length, and total number of wrinkles on the participants' foreheads. They used advanced 3D scanner technology, which allows for computer reconstruction of the face and evaluation of all examined parameters with an accuracy of less than one-tenth of a millimeter.

An example of computer face reconstruction with studied wrinkles before the study and after 7 days of DrySerum application.

After 7 days, the area of wrinkles on the forehead was reduced by an average of 19.44% (with a statistical deviation of ± 6.02%). The average length of wrinkles decreased by 18.24% (± 5.34%) and the depth by an average of 17.50% (with a statistical deviation of ± 6.79%).

All these results showed statistical significance. Therefore, these were not random changes but the result of applying DrySerum.

The skin of one of the participants before the start of the rejuvenation treatment 7-Day Program and after its completion.

Each participant also filled out a questionnaire after completing the test. In it, they assessed their subjective feelings about the entire treatment and consumer attitudes. Selected results were as follows (the number indicates the percentage of women who agreed with the statement):

the product is easy to apply (85%),
the serum absorbs quickly (80%),
I am satisfied with the results of the treatment (80%),
I would undergo the treatment again (75%),
the product has a pleasant fragrance (75%),
my facial contours appear smoother (70%),
I would recommend the treatment to a friend (70%).

Testing the Skin Compatibility of DrySerum

The health safety and good compatibility of DrySerum were tested with the Advanced Science Laboratories institute. This study involved a total of 64 women and men with different skin types.

Each of them wore a 2 × 2 cm patch with dry serum for 24 hours. After 48 hours, a dermatologist evaluated the skin reaction. No adverse side effects were observed in any of the volunteers. Additionally, other tests showed statistically significant improvements in skin elasticity, firmness, hydration, and overall freshness.

Mgr. Matěj Buzgo

Head of nanofiber production and development

He completed his master's degree in cell biology in 2010. At that time, he began working on the encapsulation method of nanofibers. In recent years, he has perfected this method even from a mechanical perspective. His goal is to provide patients with a more comfortable and effective application of medicines than current medicine offers.