DMAE-Dimethylaminoethanol

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.

Paula Begoun