Peptides: What Are They and Do They Actually Work for Skincare?
Our bodies manufacture many different types of peptides, and each has a very specific function in keeping us healthy. Some peptides have important roles in protecting and healing our skin—keeping it youthful-looking and supple—which is precisely why these compounds have become increasingly prevalent in skincare products. How many of us know what peptides are and how they are beneficial for our skin?
Continued research expands our knowledge and understanding of how these amazing, naturally-occurring, biological molecules benefit our bodies and skin. Educating ourselves on what peptides are and what they do for our skin is the best way to decide if peptide skincare products are right for you. Here’s why peptides are an excellent, gold-standard skincare ingredient to add to your anti-aging routine.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are the “building blocks'' or short chains of amino acids that make up proteins. Collagen, elastin, and keratin are proteins that provide structure, texture, and elasticity for our skin.
Peptides work by stimulating the production of the proteins like collagen and elastin, which we naturally lose as we age. When peptides are applied topically, they have the ability to perforate the skin, and signal our bodies to make more proteins; more protein means more of what your skin needs to look youthful. A growing body of scientific work proves that peptides support skin health, providing hydration, smoothness, and firmness.
How Do Peptides Work For Skin?
Peptides penetrate the upper layer of the skin; they sink in and send signals to increase collagen production. As peptides stimulate your skin to boost collagen levels, you’ll see the following benefits:
- Reduction in Lines and Wrinkles- More collagen production means skin will be plumper, making fine lines, wrinkles, and even our lips fuller.
- Increased Elasticity- Peptides not only signal more collagen to be made they also increase elastin production, making skin firmer and tighter.
- Less Inflammation- The anti-inflammatory effect diminishes skin sensitivity, repairs your skin, and evens out skin tone.
- Improves the Skin Barrier- peptides improve the skin barrier and helps fight the effects of free radicals, and promote healing.
- Can Help with Acne- some peptides are antibacterial and fight acne-causing bacteria.
This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the benefits peptides can have for our skin. There are continually discoveries of how peptides function and how they improve our skin.
Consider using physician-grade peptide skincare products; they will have the highest concentrations of active ingredients that target specific issues. These products are also clinically tested to ensure safety and efficacy.
What is the Story Behind Peptides?
Peptides were discovered in the early 1970s when a copper peptide was identified and isolated in blood plasma. It was found that younger people had more peptides present than older people. This was the impetus for further exploration about how it might be useful in skincare products.
In the 1980s, research revealed that peptides are important in wound healing; essentially, scientists discovered that when the skin is injured, the peptides or “building blocks” signal to the body that help is needed. One of the ways the body repairs itself is to produce more collagen, and as we now know, collagen repairs and restores our skin.
All this research leads us where we are today, with peptides becoming more and more critical in the evolution of skincare products as we learn more about how they function.
Choosing the Right Peptide Products
There are so many peptide skincare products on the market; it can be hard to know how to choose the right one. Here are things to consider when shopping for peptide treatments:
- While experts agree that peptides are a powerful anti-aging element, they also agree that they are most effective when combined with other gold standard ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide (don’t mix vitamin C and niacinamide, their potency will be diminished), antioxidants, and hyaluronic acids.
- Choosing Dermsilk's quality peptide products ensures you get the highest concentrations of active ingredients for optimum results. Check out the label and make sure peptides appear near the top of the list. Look for descriptions beginning with the word “palmitoyl” or ending with “peptide.”
- For peptides to be effective, they need to have prolonged contact with the skin. Choosing a serum or a moisturizer that will be on your skin for an extended time is a better choice than using a cleanser that will be rinsed off quickly.
- Ensure the product is packed in an opaque container to shield it from direct sunlight and heat.
Powerful Peptides For Potent Anti-aging Skincare Routines
Our understanding of peptides' role in anti-aging skincare has come a long way, and there’s room for more research and development in how our skin benefits from this powerful compound that stimulates protein production. For the latest peptide skincare products…
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