I recently attended a fascinating lecture about gene expression. The most captivating part explained that scientists have discovered a link between what your mother ate when she was pregnant with you and the way some of your genes display themselves -- contributing to things like cancer and Alzheimer's. (Naturally, I called my mother immediately after the lecture, only to learn that she ate dozens of hotdogs when I was in utero. I'm screwed.)

I found the research behind The Organic Pharmacy Gene Expression Lifting Serum, $330, to be similarly fascinating. The serum is packed with 10 active ingredients that aim to minimize -- or even reverse -- genetic and environmental aging. Grape stem cell extract protects cells from UV damage; glucosamine and aloe reduce inflammation and vegetable peptides work to smooth wrinkles and lift sagging skin. There are pages and pages of research packed into one bottle -- and it has a beautiful pearlescent quality that gives your skin an instant glow. Basically, it's the opposite of a hotdog.