A commonly used ingredient in face cream could play a role in extending the lifespan as well, a new preliminary study finds.

The study found that the ingredient, allantoin, mimics the effect of calorie restriction when used on worms. Calorie restriction, which means a reduction in calorie intake without malnutrition, has been found to slow down the aging process in several animal models, previous studies have found.

In this animal study, University of Liverpool scientists showed for the first time that the botanical extract allantoin could mimic the effect of calorie restriction and increase lifespan in worms by more than 20 percent, the researchers said. Allantoin, which comes from the comfrey plant, is an ingredient of many anti-aging creams.

To identify potential compounds that mimic calorie restriction, the research team made use of use of existing molecular signatures from human cells treated with a variety of small-molecule drugs.

 Then, using pattern-matching algorithms to make connections between drug compounds and calorie restriction effects, they identified 11 potential compounds.  Then they narrowed the field to five, including allantoin, which they tested on the worms.

They found that the worms treated with allantoin not only lived longer, but also stayed healthier longer.

The study appears in the current issue of Aging Cell.