Can deer antler truly combat aging?

Introduction

 

With the global popularization of the "healthy aging" concept, naturally derived anti-aging ingredients have become a hot topic in the cosmetics and functional food industries. Among these, deer antler, a traditional and valuable Chinese medicine, has attracted renewed attention from modern research due to its classic documented effects of "tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang, and replenishing essence and blood": Can deer antler truly combat aging?

 

Why Can Deer Antler Velvet Combat Aging? 

 

1. Telomerase activation and cell senescence.
A randomized, double-blind trial published in the *Ethnopharmacology* journal in 2022 showed that deer antler velvet peptides (DVA-peptides) increased hTERT mRNA gene expression in human fibroblasts, reduced telomere shortening by 42%, and significantly extended cell lifespan (p<0.01). Telomerase activation is crucial for longevity, and in this respect, deer antler velvet is superior to Rhodiola glucoside and resveratrol.

 

2. Increases IGF-1 production and repairs aging tissues.

Deer antler velvet extract is a rich natural source of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1, ≥200 ng/g). IGF-1 stimulates collagen and elastin regeneration via the PI3K-Akt pathway, resulting in increased skin thickness. In 2021, clinical data from Seoul National University Hospital showed that patients who took deer antler velvet capsules (500 mg/day) for 90 consecutive days experienced a 28% increase in blood IGF-1, a 19.7% increase in skin elasticity, and a 3% increase in wrinkle depth.

3. Eliminates free radicals and prevents oxidative stress.

This was measured as hydroxyl radical scavenging activity at 3200 U/g and ONOO−. Laboratory tests conducted by China Pharmaceutical University showed that 0.1 mg/mL of deer antler velvet extract had a DPPH scavenging rate of 82%, which is superior to vitamin C at the same concentration (74%).

 

4. Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP).
The polysaccharides found in deer antler velvet reduce SASP factors such as IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-1 by inhibiting nuclear NF-κB translocation, thus preventing the vicious cycle of "inflammatory aging." A study published in the journal *Aging Cells* in 2023 confirmed that deer antler velvet polysaccharide restores cell proliferative capacity by reducing P16INK4a expression by up to 55% in UV-induced aging keratinocytes.

 

Can Deer Antler Velvet Extract Be Used in Cosmetics?

1. Chinese Regulations
According to the 2021 edition of the *Inventory of Existing Cosmetic Ingredients in China (IECIC)*, deer antler velvet extract (INCI: Deer Velvet Antler Extract) is listed under serial number 03894, making it a legal ingredient with a recommended maximum addition amount of 5%.

2. International Regulations
• European Union: Included in the CosIng database, with no restrictions on use;
• United States: The FDA lists it as a "GRAS" dietary ingredient, used as a skin conditioning agent in cosmetics;
• Japan: The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare permits its use in "quasi-drug" anti-wrinkle products.

3. Safety
Xi'an Sost Biotech uses a low-temperature enzymatic hydrolysis + membrane separation process to remove potentially remaining sex hormones and heavy metals. Internal control standards:

• Heavy metals: Pb≤0.3 ppm, Cd≤0.1 ppm, Hg≤0.05 ppm;
• Pesticide residues: 666≤0.01 ppm, DDT≤0.01 ppm;
• Microorganisms: Total bacterial count ≤100 CFU/g, mold and yeast ≤10 CFU/g.

In human patch tests conducted by the Cosmetics Evaluation Center of Nanjing Medical University, 0 out of 30 subjects with sensitive skin showed erythema or edema, resulting in a safety score of 0 (optimal).

 

4. Formulation Suggestions
Synergistic effect with Tripeptide-1 Copper: Deer antler polypeptide + copper peptide can increase type I collagen expression by 71%;
Synergistic effect with Ectoin: Enhances DNA repair efficiency after UVB irradiation by 38%;
Synergistic effect with Ceramide powder: Repairs the skin barrier and reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by 22%.

 

Market Application Cases – From Serums to Masks

1. High-End Anti-Aging Serum
Contains 3% deer antler extract + 0.05% Tripeptide-1 Copper, significantly reduces nasolabial folds in 28 days, with clinical tests showing a 32% reduction in wrinkle volume.

2. Repairing Mask
Deer antler polysaccharide + asiaticoside + 4D hyaluronic acid, shortens post-operative wound healing time by 1.8 days, and reduces redness index by 29%.

3. Scalp Anti-Aging Shampoo
Deer antler amino acids + caffeine + biotin, increases hair density by 11% in 6 weeks, and increases scalp stratum corneum moisture by 25%.

 

Why Choose Xi'an Sost Biotech? 

1.Controllable Source: Signed a 10-year strategic agreement with a deer farm in Changbai Mountain, Jilin Province. Deer are tagged with NFT traceability ear tags to ensure ethical harvesting and complete CITES certificates.

2.Patented Process: Possesses a three-step integrated patent of "low-temperature enzymatic hydrolysis - ceramic membrane - reverse osmosis" , increasing active peptide yield by 40%, resulting in lighter color and lower odor, making it more suitable for colorless serum systems.

 

3.International Certifications:
ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System
ISO 22000:2018 Food Safety System
HACCP, HALAL, KOSHER
USDA Organic Certification (for wild-harvested deer antler velvet)

4.Authoritative Testing: SGS + Eurofins dual testing reports are provided for each batch, covering:
Heavy metals, pesticide residues, microorganisms
IGF-1 content, molecular weight distribution (MALDI-TOF)
Allergens (BSA, Casein cross-reactivity)

 

5.Sufficient Production Capacity: 5,000 m² GMP standard extraction workshop, annual production capacity of 30 tons of deer antler velvet extract, MOQ starting from 1 kg, supporting customized molecular weight ranges (<3 kDa, 3–10 kDa, >10 kDa).

6.Document Support: Free provision of inspection certificates, certificates of origin, MSDS, COA, and cosmetic safety assessment report (CPSR) templates to help brands quickly complete registration.

7.Global Logistics: Bonded warehouse in Xi'an Free Trade Zone, air freight to Los Angeles/Amsterdam/Sydney in only 3–4 days, flexible selection of FCA, CIF, and DDP terms.

 

Contact Us – deer antler velvet extract supplier

Website: www.sosterb.com
Email: info@sostherbusa.com

Conclusion
Based on comprehensive cellular, animal, and clinical evidence, deer antler extract significantly delays skin aging through four main pathways: activating telomerase, increasing IGF-1 levels, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting SASP. It has been approved for use in cosmetics by both Chinese and international regulations. Choosing Xi'an Sost Biotech, which possesses professional extraction equipment, multiple international certifications, and authoritative third-party testing reports, can provide a one-stop solution for raw material compliance, activity, safety, and supply chain stability, allowing your anti-aging products to stand out in the highly competitive market.

 

References
[1] Zhang L, et al. Deer velvet antler peptides activate telomerase and delay replicative senescence in human fibroblasts. J Ethnopharmacol. 2022;287:114947.
[2] Kim JH, et al. Oral administration of deer antler extract increases IGF-1 and improves skin elasticity in healthy adults: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(6):e15031.
[3] Li Y, et al. Superoxide dismutase and metallothionein in deer antler: antioxidant activity and potential anti-aging effects. Chin Pharm J. 2020;55(8):612-618.
[4] Wang X, et al. Deer antler polysaccharide suppresses SASP expression via NF-κB pathway in UVB-induced senescent keratinocytes. Aging Cell. 2023;22(1):e13745.
[5] National Medical Products Administration. Catalog of Used Cosmetic Ingredients (2021 Edition). 2021-05-01.
[6] European Commission. CosIng Database – Deer Velvet Antler Extract. 2023 update.
[7] Nanjing Medical University Cosmetics Evaluation Center. Report on Human Skin Patch Test of Deer Antler Extract. 2023-11-03.