Peptides for Skin

With the overwhelming amount of skincare products on the market today it can be a challenge deciding which ones to use, especially when new products are constantly being introduced to the market. As a consumer, it's hard to know which products are right for your skin and what brands can you trust. When it comes to skincare, it is important to know what the active ingredients in products do and stay away from harmful additives to achieve youthful, glowing skin.

My skin is obnoxiously sensitive so if there is any alcohol or harmful ingredients in a product, my skin will react immediately. This is not the case for everyone, making it difficult to find products that will deliver on their promise overtime. Peptides are gaining popularity in the beauty industry and to help you better understand what peptides are and/if you should add them to your daily skincare routine.

What are Peptides?

Peptides are amino acid chains connected by peptide bonds that work as building blocks of protein. You're probably asking yourself, "why would I want to put protein on my face?" The simple answer is that these proteins stimulate collagen, keratin and elastin creation in your skin. When your skin ages, your body produces less of these proteins so by adding peptides into your daily skincare, you're essentially telling your body to create more skin rejuvenating proteins. Peptides are known for their ability to strengthen, sooth and firm aging skin, leaving your skin with an even tone and texture. The small chain amino acids in peptide products are small enough to be absorbed by the skin. This makes it easier for peptides to target certain areas of the skin, i.e your face, and doing so more effectively than taking a collagen supplement. Peptides can be found in many skincare products today like serums, moisturizers and masks.

Benefits

There are 5 dynamic kinds of skin-repairing peptide chains, each kind has an unique and positive effect that contributes to healthy, beautiful skin.

Increase elasticity and firmness

Signal peptides are the most commonly found peptides in skincare products because this chain increases production of collagen, elastin and keratin in our skin. These peptides make our skin firmer and more radiant. Neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides block the release of acetylcholine- a muscle contracting neurotransmitter. This peptide quite literally relaxes the muscles on your face to prevent future wrinkles.

Remove fine lines and wrinkles

Carrier peptides or Copper peptides have become overnight best sellers for their ability to make old skin cells act like younger cells. Copper peptides work beneath our skin layer to boost collagen and elastin production.

Repair damaged skin and even skin tone

Peptides contain antioxidant properties so while generating new skin cells it also removes the damaged tissue. Antimicrobial peptides kill harmful dirt and bacteria on skin and can prevent breakouts and repair acne scars.

Reduce inflammation and redness

When your skin barrier is damaged or irritated, peptides can calm and sooth irritation or redness. Use with ceramides in a cleanser to relax your skin barrier and restore natural pH balance.

How to use

Peptides are great when paired with Vitamin C and Retinol to increase your natural skin cell production. Use Vitamin C and Peptide serums in the morning, so the products have time to soak into your skin, and retinol at night.

If you have more sensitive skin, use a cleanser with peptides instead, like Tatcha The Rice Wash. Some copper peptides can be irritating for anyone with sensitive skin. If your skin gets irritated easily, I recommend starting with a product containing a low dosage of peptides before trying a copper peptide serum.

Peptides are a great addition to spice up anyone's daily skincare routine and boost plump, healthy skin. Increasing collagen and elastin production creates major improvements to your skin.