The Role of Dimethylaminoethanol in Cosmetic Dermatology

Skincare formulations for the improvement of aging skin are increasingly important consumer products. Here, we review available data on one such agent — 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) or deanol — that has recently been evaluated in a placebo-controlled trial. DMAE is an analog of the B vitamin choline and is a precursor of acetylcholine. Although the role of acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter is well known, growing evidence points to acetylcholine as a ubiquitous cytokine-like molecule that regulates basic cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, locomotion, and secretion in a paracrine and autocrine fashion. Indeed, this modulatory role may contribute to the cutaneous activity of DMAE.