Cycloastragenol

A molecule obtained from the astragalus membranaceous root that is claimed to have telomerase activation activity.

Telomerase is an enzyme that helps to elongate telomeres, the protective caps at the end of the chromosomes that get shorter and shorter with chromosome replication. The aging process associated with telomere shortening seems to be an up-and-coming aging theory and there are a couple of promising (but not yet proven) actives to hinder telomere shortening and expand cell lifespan.

Cycloastragenol is one of these actives with an in-vitro study showing it can "moderately increase telomerase activity".  Another study claimed that cycloastragenol is a "potent telomerase activator in neuronal cells" and "may have a novel therapeutic role in depression".  We could not find in-vivo topical studies to confirm what cycloastragenol may or may not do when we slather it on our face.