Natural Compound

DMAE

2-Dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol)

Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

150-400 mg per day

watchEffect Window

4-8 weeks for topical skin firming.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a choline-related compound used for cognitive and mood claims and in topical products for skin firmness. Its central nervous system effects remain uncertain.

Human evidence for cognitive improvement is limited and inconsistent, with small studies suggesting possible attention or mood changes in select populations. Topical DMAE can temporarily improve skin firmness in some formulations. Minority claims include anti-aging and neuroprotection, mostly based on theory or preclinical data. Overall benefits from oral use are not well established by rigorous trials.

Inhibits peripheral choline metabolism, sparing choline for central use. Reduces lipofuscin accumulation. Topically increases skin firmness. The acetylcholine-precursor mechanism is debated.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Topical skin firming (3% DMAE gel mitigates facial sagging)

Secondary Outcomes

  • Lipofuscin reduction in cells
  • Mild cognitive support (weak evidence)

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Epilepsy
  • Pregnancy (teratogenic in animal models)
  • Bipolar disorder

Side effects

  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle tension

Interactions

  • Anticholinesterase drugs (additive cholinergic)
  • Anticholinergics (antagonism)

Avoid if

  • Pregnancy
  • Epilepsy
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Concurrent anticholinesterase medication

Evidence

Study-level References

dmae-SRC-001RCT (Split-face, Double-blind)
Sourceopen_in_new

Uhoda I, et al. "Split face study on the cutaneous tensile effect of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) gel." Skin Res Technol. 2002.

Population: Healthy Adults

Key findings: Application of a 3% DMAE gel resulted in an acute increase in skin firmness and a noticeable mitigation of facial sagging over a 16-week period compared to placebo gel.

Paper content

Application of a 3% DMAE gel resulted in an acute increase in skin firmness and a noticeable mitigation of facial sagging over a 16-week period compared to placebo gel.

dmae-SRC-002Randomized, double-blind, split-face trial.
Sourceopen_in_new

Uhoda I, Faska N, Robert C, Cauwenbergh G, Pierard GE. Split face study on the cutaneous tensile effect of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) gel. Skin Res Technol. 2002;8(3):164-167. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0846.2002.10295.x. PMID:12236885.

Population: Healthy adult volunteers.

Dose protocol: 3% DMAE gel versus vehicle in a split-face design

Key findings: DMAE gel increased shear wave velocity, indicating improved skin firmness, in 30 healthy volunteers.

Notes: Supports the acute topical skin-firming mechanism with objective measurement.

Paper content

This randomized, double-blind, split-face trial tested 3% DMAE gel against vehicle on 30 healthy volunteers. The pilot phase (8 subjects) showed large interindividual variability. The main phase (30 subjects) found that DMAE gel produced significantly increased shear wave velocity, indicating improved cutaneous tensile properties and skin firmness, particularly in areas showing mechanical looseness. This study provides direct human evidence for the acute skin-firming effect of topical DMAE, supporting its use as a cosmeceutical active ingredient.

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