If the idea of needles, lasers, or needing “downtime” from an in-office treatment makes you wince a little, there’s a gentler way to achieve a more youthful-looking glow. Growth factors, which are proteins that help skin cells communicate and kickstart repair, have long been used in dermatology to support everything from wound healing to collagen production, and newer research suggests topical applications can visibly improve skin texture and fine lines when used consistently, emphasizing that these ingredients aren’t just theoretical—they show real, measurable improvements in the signs of aging.
The catch? Growth factor serums have traditionally been expensive, hard to find, and not especially friendly for anyone trying to keep their routine clean or low-maintenance. Many were clinic-only formulas or relied on animal-derived ingredients, which made them feel simply out of reach for everyday use. That’s where plant-based innovations come in, like Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule, which delivers the benefits of growth factors in a lightweight, vegan formula that’s easy to use daily without sacrificing performance. There’s also the accessibility factor: Plant-based growth factors are often more scalable to produce, which helps bring prices down compared to traditional, clinic-only formulas.
In short, you get the science-backed benefits of growth factors—minus the environmental trade-offs and luxury-only price barrier.
Growth Factors, Explained
Fun fact: Growth factors didn’t start out as a skincare ingredient at all. They were first studied in wound healing, burn treatment, and regenerative medicine, where dermatologists used them clinically to help skin repair itself after injuries and in-office procedures. When growth factors first made their way into skincare in the early 2000s, they were very much seen as exclusive to a derm office, pricey, niche, and not something you were using at home. Fast-forward to now, and advances in formulation—particularly with the rise of plant-based alternatives—have made growth factors far more stable and much easier to use day to day.
At their core, growth factors are naturally occurring proteins in the skin that act as messengers. They “tell” skin cells when to regenerate, repair damage, and produce structural proteins like collagen and elastin—the very things that keep skin looking firm, smooth, and stronger. Two of the most well-researched growth factors in skincare are:
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EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor): Helps support skin renewal and surface smoothness
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FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor): Encourages collagen production and improves elasticity
As we age, our natural production of these growth factors slows down. Environmental stressors, UV exposure, and everyday inflammation don’t help either—and factors like chronic stress, poor sleep, and repeated barrier disruption can further interfere with the skin’s ability to repair itself efficiently. Topical growth factors are designed to step in and support the skin’s own renewal processes, making them especially appealing for anyone noticing fine lines, loss of bounce, or dull, tired-looking skin.
Traditional vs. Vegan Growth Factors: What Sets Them Apart
For a long time, growth factor formulas relied on animal-derived ingredients or lab-engineered proteins. Effective? Sure. But not always the most sustainable or ethical option.
Haruharu Wonder takes a different approach with the Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule, using rice-derived EGF and FGF. These plant-based growth factors send the same “repair and renew” signals to the skin by supporting collagen, elasticity, and overall skin health, but they tend to be gentler in the process. You get real results without the irritation, making it much easier to use consistently, which, as we all know, is what actually makes skin care work.
In short, you get the science-backed benefits of growth factors without the added environmental trade-offs.
How Do Vegan Growth Factors Benefit Your Skin?
While we love the idea of caring for both our skin and the planet, our Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule does more than check off a philosophical box. In clinical testing, one month of consistent use improved skin hydration by 22.51%, increased skin elasticity by 4.48%, and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 9.55%, while registering zero average skin irritation.
Fermented black rice extract delivers antioxidant protection while helping boost moisture and overall radiance, making skin look healthier and more even over time. Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin plump and comfortable, while madecassoside—a soothing compound derived from Centella asiatica—works to calm irritation and support the skin barrier, especially when skin feels stressed or sensitized. Adenosine rounds things out by helping smooth the look of fine lines and supporting elasticity with continued use. With every application, you’re checking off multiple aging concerns without a heavy or sticky residue.
How to Incorporate Growth Factor Products Into Your Routine
One of the biggest myths around growth factor serums is that they’re complicated or intimidating, when they’re actually easy to work into your day. After cleansing—using the Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel for oily or acne-prone skin, or the Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil if your skin leans dry or sensitive—go in with Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner. It helps rehydrate skin and sets the stage for better absorption before you apply a small amount of the Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule and pat it in.
Part of what makes it feel so effortless is our proprietary Ultra Deep Technology, which helps active ingredients absorb more effectively, rather than just sitting on the surface. By pairing fermented ingredients like black rice with this enhanced delivery system, the formula is designed to help hydration, antioxidants, and growth factors reach deeper into the skin where they can do their best work. The lightweight texture layers easily under moisturizer and sunscreen during the day and works just as well at night.
The best part? It doesn’t ask much of you. No waiting period, no tacky finish, and no pilling under the rest of your routine. Just smooth application, quick absorption, and skin that looks healthier with regular use.
Today’s skincare isn’t just about visible results—it’s about how you get them. Haruharu Wonder’s plant-based growth factor technology makes the case for formulas that work hard without cutting corners. Sustainable and effective? We love a multitasker.
How Vegan Growth Factors Are Changing the Skincare Game
If the idea of needles, lasers, or needing “downtime” from an in-office treatment makes you wince a little, there’s a gentler way to achieve a more youthful-looking glow. Growth factors, which are proteins that help skin cells communicate and kickstart repair, have long been used in dermatology to support everything from wound healing to collagen production, and newer research suggests topical applications can visibly improve skin texture and fine lines when used consistently, emphasizing that these ingredients aren’t just theoretical—they show real, measurable improvements in the signs of aging.
The catch? Growth factor serums have traditionally been expensive, hard to find, and not especially friendly for anyone trying to keep their routine clean or low-maintenance. Many were clinic-only formulas or relied on animal-derived ingredients, which made them feel simply out of reach for everyday use. That’s where plant-based innovations come in, like Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule, which delivers the benefits of growth factors in a lightweight, vegan formula that’s easy to use daily without sacrificing performance. There’s also the accessibility factor: Plant-based growth factors are often more scalable to produce, which helps bring prices down compared to traditional, clinic-only formulas.
In short, you get the science-backed benefits of growth factors—minus the environmental trade-offs and luxury-only price barrier.
Growth Factors, Explained
Fun fact: Growth factors didn’t start out as a skincare ingredient at all. They were first studied in wound healing, burn treatment, and regenerative medicine, where dermatologists used them clinically to help skin repair itself after injuries and in-office procedures. When growth factors first made their way into skincare in the early 2000s, they were very much seen as exclusive to a derm office, pricey, niche, and not something you were using at home. Fast-forward to now, and advances in formulation—particularly with the rise of plant-based alternatives—have made growth factors far more stable and much easier to use day to day.
At their core, growth factors are naturally occurring proteins in the skin that act as messengers. They “tell” skin cells when to regenerate, repair damage, and produce structural proteins like collagen and elastin—the very things that keep skin looking firm, smooth, and stronger. Two of the most well-researched growth factors in skincare are:
As we age, our natural production of these growth factors slows down. Environmental stressors, UV exposure, and everyday inflammation don’t help either—and factors like chronic stress, poor sleep, and repeated barrier disruption can further interfere with the skin’s ability to repair itself efficiently. Topical growth factors are designed to step in and support the skin’s own renewal processes, making them especially appealing for anyone noticing fine lines, loss of bounce, or dull, tired-looking skin.
Traditional vs. Vegan Growth Factors: What Sets Them Apart
For a long time, growth factor formulas relied on animal-derived ingredients or lab-engineered proteins. Effective? Sure. But not always the most sustainable or ethical option.
Haruharu Wonder takes a different approach with the Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule, using rice-derived EGF and FGF. These plant-based growth factors send the same “repair and renew” signals to the skin by supporting collagen, elasticity, and overall skin health, but they tend to be gentler in the process. You get real results without the irritation, making it much easier to use consistently, which, as we all know, is what actually makes skin care work.
In short, you get the science-backed benefits of growth factors without the added environmental trade-offs.
How Do Vegan Growth Factors Benefit Your Skin?
While we love the idea of caring for both our skin and the planet, our Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule does more than check off a philosophical box. In clinical testing, one month of consistent use improved skin hydration by 22.51%, increased skin elasticity by 4.48%, and reduced the appearance of wrinkles by 9.55%, while registering zero average skin irritation.
Fermented black rice extract delivers antioxidant protection while helping boost moisture and overall radiance, making skin look healthier and more even over time. Hyaluronic acid helps keep skin plump and comfortable, while madecassoside—a soothing compound derived from Centella asiatica—works to calm irritation and support the skin barrier, especially when skin feels stressed or sensitized. Adenosine rounds things out by helping smooth the look of fine lines and supporting elasticity with continued use. With every application, you’re checking off multiple aging concerns without a heavy or sticky residue.
How to Incorporate Growth Factor Products Into Your Routine
One of the biggest myths around growth factor serums is that they’re complicated or intimidating, when they’re actually easy to work into your day. After cleansing—using the Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel for oily or acne-prone skin, or the Black Rice Moisture Cleansing Oil if your skin leans dry or sensitive—go in with Haruharu Wonder’s Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner. It helps rehydrate skin and sets the stage for better absorption before you apply a small amount of the Black Rice Botanical 2GF Wonderful Ampoule and pat it in.
Part of what makes it feel so effortless is our proprietary Ultra Deep Technology, which helps active ingredients absorb more effectively, rather than just sitting on the surface. By pairing fermented ingredients like black rice with this enhanced delivery system, the formula is designed to help hydration, antioxidants, and growth factors reach deeper into the skin where they can do their best work. The lightweight texture layers easily under moisturizer and sunscreen during the day and works just as well at night.
The best part? It doesn’t ask much of you. No waiting period, no tacky finish, and no pilling under the rest of your routine. Just smooth application, quick absorption, and skin that looks healthier with regular use.
Today’s skincare isn’t just about visible results—it’s about how you get them. Haruharu Wonder’s plant-based growth factor technology makes the case for formulas that work hard without cutting corners. Sustainable and effective? We love a multitasker.