Peptides In Skincare

Peptides Are Worthwhile Additives in Skincare Formulations. Here's Why...

Skincare ingredients can be confusing, and nothing creates more confusion than peptides. Although retinoids can also be complex to comprehend, that's a separate topic we've already addressed here and this blog is dedicated to discussing peptides!

No doubt you've seen those expensive skincare commercials touting peptides, polypeptides, pentapeptides, and their like, complete with flashy models and celebrities. But do you understand what's being discussed or why including peptides could benefit your skincare regime? If that is the case for you then hands up! We don't blame you.

Good news! We've got all of your peptide needs right here, right now. Want more details? Then read on.

What Is Peptides? 

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of peptides is any compound formed from two or more amino acids by linking their amino groups via carboxylic groups... generally obtained via partial hydrolysis of proteins.

Wow! So that has clarified things then. Not.

Peptides are chemical compounds composed of short chains of amino acids. Amino acids form the building blocks for life and are utilized by our bodies to create proteins that perform numerous bodily functions essential to daily survival, including growth, healing, and breaking down food.

Peptides are short chains composed of between two and 50 amino acids, whereas proteins consist of multiple peptide chains joined together into longer molecules.

Science lesson done... well almost...

Peptides in Skincare

Your skin contains many vital proteins, including collagen, elastin, and keratin; they serve as the building blocks for its support, structure, strength, and resilience. Unfortunately, as we age we begin to lose these essential proteins; approximately 1 percent of collagen per year after 30 is shed which reveals visible signs of aging.

Applying peptides to your skin helps counteract this loss of collagen as they act like messengers that encourage cells to produce more of it. Your body recognizes peptides as signals that you've injured or wounded it and, upon seeing these signals, releases more cells to produce collagen which in turn heals itself by creating healthy barrier function, firming, strengthening, and plumping up skin - clever!

So, Do Peptides Have Real Benefits for Your Skin? 

Unfortunately, not all peptides provide equal results - some are unstable others cannot penetrate skin pores properly - while some just don't seem to provide any benefit at all. But numerous peptides deliver tangible benefits when applied directly onto skin conditions such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and hormonally related breakouts.

Matrixyl 3000, for example, is a combination of two peptides that have been independently proven to increase collagen levels in your skin. According to one study conducted on Matrixyl, it can nearly double how much collagen your skin produces - making it one of the most impressive peptides available today.

How to Include Peptides in Your Skincare Routine

Peptides are beneficial because they're extremely well tolerated by the skin. That means they're suitable for almost all skin types and great for targeting delicate eye area skin.

If you want to incorporate effective peptides into your skin care regimen, look for serums, eye treatments, and moisturizers with them as ingredients. Different peptides target different concerns, while many skincare products combine two or more for comprehensive anti-aging benefits. When searching for anti-aging solutions that contain multiple peptides such as those ending in "peptide" or beginning with "palmitoyl," remember that products left on the skin longer will be more beneficial. Also prefer packaging in opaque airtight containers since light can damage peptides rendering them virtually ineffective!

Our Eye Gel and Cream are both packed with peptides such as palmitoyl tripeptides-1 and -5 as well as matrix 3000 to help combat collagen loss around the eye area, where skin thickness is much thinner. Collagen loss causes wrinkles, lines, and dark circles to appear very rapidly so incorporating peptides into your eyecare routine is a smart strategy to counter this loss of elasticity and wrinkle formation.

Apply your favorite eye treatment twice daily for optimal results, gently patting or smoothing it around your eye area with your ring finger so as not to put too much strain on the skin.

As with any product containing active ingredients, always perform a patch test before starting to use it. Need help doing that? No worries; we have you covered right here.

Read more about our retinol face serum