Darla Dares To Ask: I love shopping in Bath and Body Works and this year when I go in there has been a lot of hype about their Wexler line of anti-aging skincare line. And they tell me about MMPs and MMPIs and how this is supposed to be a revolutionary skincare line. Is it really worth the hype and is it worth the money to help ease the signs of aging? The Right Brain Responds:
What are MMPs and Why Are They Bad?
MMP stands for Matrix Metalloproteinases which are naturally produced enzymes that help regulate the skin`s ability to repair itself. MPPi stands for Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor, in other words, an agent that prevents MMPs from forming.
There are many types of MMPs, and while the function of all of them is not fully understood, it appears that several of them can degrade collagen and elastin which give skin its structure and firmness. Other MMPs play a role in inflammatory skin conditions like acne. These bad MMPs increase as you age and with exposure to environmental stressors. High MMP activity can result in wrinkles, loss of firmness, and dull, uneven skin tone.
Enter Dr. Patricia Wexler. She claims that her Wexler line of products use MMP Inhibitors to help skin`s own regenerating powers to interrupt damage and inflammation that leads to the most common skin concerns. She references studies which shows her products do indeed inhibit MMP production.
Can Cosmetics Really Protect You From MMPs?
According to Dr. Wexler’s website, she has done studies to show that her MMPi technology really works. The data on the website shows that she meastured a reduction in MMP production but there’s no data on how the skin itself was affected. In other words, did she prove her products have a beneficial effect on skin or did she only prove her products react a certain way in laboratory tests? Since she only references the studies and doesn’t actually link to them, it’s impossible to tell exactly what her studies do or don’t prove.
So is there any unbiased, peer review data to suggest what Wexler says is true? Sort of. This article from Pubmed shows research that indicates treatment with isotretinoin (the drug Accutane) can reduce two types of MMPs (MMR9 and 13) and that may be the mechanism by which Accutane works. Of course, Accutane is a prescription drug so you won`t find it in a cosmetic product. And while this study appears to validate that certain MMPs might play a role in acne, it doesn`t prove that MMPi’s can help fight wrinkles. Other than this study, we couldn’t find much to back up Dr. Wexler’s theories. But, we admit there is a lot of research on MMPs and it’s impossible for us to research ALL the studies that have been done.
The Brain`s Bottom Line
Scientists seem to agree that MMPs do play a role in various skin conditions, but we haven`t been able to find any data to show that MMP Inhibitors used in cosmetic products show a consumer perceivable benefit. Until we see some more data, we`re in agreement with The Cosmetic Cop who wrote a nice summary of these cell-communicating ingredients. She concluded that currently, there`s no solid research that shows these peptide-based ingredients perform as indicated by their claims.
Loading ...
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m 48 years old, and I’ve been using the Wexler products for over 2 months now. I LOVE them. I have not had any adverse skin reactions, only wonderful skin reactions. My skin definitely looks smoother, plumper, and younger.
I have had terrible allergic reactions just like those described above with other skin care lines. It’s important to find a list of ingredients for the products that irritate you and figure out which of the ingredients are causing your rashes.
All of my Wexler products have come with complete listings of ingredients, so I don’t know why others here have said that the ingredients are not listed. They are listed on the outside of the box – even in the Anti-Aging Trial Kit, the ingredients are listed on the outside of the box for each product. Good luck!
I too tried the product and broke out in a terrible rash. I found this list after doing a google search to see if others out there have had this problem. It is terrible — I’ve had it for 4 days. I would not recommend this product.
megan…when i said it was not specifically the Wexler products causing this problem, i meant that it’s not JUST the Wexler products alone that can cause the milia. there are many products that can contain beeswax- or other heavy ingredients. meaning Wexler, amongst other products can cause these same type of issue. in YOUR case, it may have been the Wexler…sorry if this was confusing = )
I have been using Dr Wexler’s products for over a year & I have very sensative skin. The results have been amazing & my face is so soft & glows. I’m so happy with the products. I hate that all the others had such bad results but they do offer full returns on all products if you’re not satisfied with the results.
I used the wexler skin regenerating serum and antiaging serum for 3 days. I got them on sale at BBW and thought they sounded like great products. I now have thousands of tiny red itchy bumps on my face neck and chest. My skin looks like a relief map. ITS HORRIBLE!!!!! I have NEVER had a reaction to any other skin product and I have used MANY MANY PRODUCTS! I am taking benydryl and I will be returning these products ASAP and returning to my Olay products. I am very upset and dissapointed!!! I googled “wexler rash” to see if anyone else has this problem and sure enough others have the EXACT description of what I have. I wish I had never put this crap on my skin as it will likely take many days to recover and heal!
Wexler products should be banned. I used for first time the Intensive 3-in-1 Eye Cream and the Intensive Night Reversal & Repair Cream
last night.. I woke up this morning looking like a monster, my eyes puffed up, swollen ….DO NOT use.
I used the anti-aging products without any problems, so when I started breaking out I decided to try the acne products as well. I bought the starter kit and used it for 2 days. I broke out in a rash of small bumps on my neck, chin and face and it has not gone away after 2 days. I tried benedryl and have switched to cortisone cream. I was very suprised by these results as the anti-aging line was fantastic. The two days before the rash, my skin cleared up and felt great! It’s a shame!
I have been using Wexlers acne products. The scrub,the foaming cleanser and I tried the overnight acne cream. My skin is very sensitive,oily and always breaks out. Fortunately the products worked. But the price doesn’t work for me. Any suggestions on a similar cheaper OTC that would be just as good?? Nuetrogena makes it worse. I have tried them all! : ( I have been suffering for years!