I already watch enough CSI to know that DNA helps forensic scientists catch the bad guys and land them lengthy prison sentences. But now, using DNA technology of a different kind, cosmetics scientists are granting second chances to those who’ve partaken in crimes of beauty. Remergent, an advanced cosmeceuticals line developed by bio-pharmaceutical company AGI Dermatics, is designed to fill critical voids in skin-care therapies and undo the damage caused by past UV exposure. Although Remergent is AGI Dermatics’s first self-marketed line, the company has long been known for developing skin-care ingredients for beauty behemoths like Estée Lauder. In addition, AGI’s highly anticipated cancer-fighting drug Dimericine, a topical cream that calls on the enzyme T4-endonuclease V to reduce past DNA damage and eliminate recent damage, has attracted a significant industry buzz. Although Dimericine is still undergoing FDA trials, its DNA repair enzyme is reportedly so effective that it’s being touted as a “morning after” fix for sunburns and is expected to serve as a daily preventative for those at risk for skin cancer.

“The technology for Dimericine became the platform for the ingredients in the Remergent line,” explains AGI Dermatics founder Dr. Daniel B. Yarosh. “The proprietary liposome delivery system became the core of the actives in [several Remergent products].” The line includes seven items: the Barrier Repair Formula ($95; remergentskin.com), which strengthens the skin’s protective outer barrier, supports collagen repair, and encourages the repopulation of ceramides; the DNA Repair Formula Serum ($125), which enables skin to recover from past UV damage and resist future photodamage; the Antioxidant Refoliator ($55), a nutrient replenishment treatment that helps protect skin following microdermabrasion and peels; A.M. Moisture SPF 15 ($75), a multipurpose photoprotectant that provides daily defense against UVA/UVB damage; the High Intensity SPF 30 ($95), a multifaceted photoprotectant with broad-spectrum filters and patented enzymes; the Clarifying Concentrate ($65), which diminishes the appearance of discolorations on the face, hands, arms, and shoulders; and the Microcirculation Therapy ($70), which bolsters nutrient flow to soothe irritated skin and diminish the appearance of undereye fatigue.

With the launch of Remergent and the expected FDA approval of Dimericine, the future suddenly looks a lot brighter for those whose genetics put them at risk—or whose misspent youth included time at the tanning salon. —Tara Mattarazzo