Could Peptides Be The Key For Your Healthiest Skin Ever?

Peptides can be a veritable skincare minefield. For one thing, what exactly are peptides? And are they really that great or are they all smoke but no fire? We believe the benefits of peptides are absolutely real. Read on for everything we know.

Peptides are often overshadowed by skincare big guns like retinol and vitamin C. But they can be just as important in the quest for awesome skin.

Peptides can be tricky skincare ingredients to get your head around. For starters, they come in all shapes and sizes, and many of them have names so long they would confuse even the most die-hard skincare fan.

But here’s a little known fact. Just like their more well-known co-workers – hi there retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C – peptides have been studied for years for their skin-restoring, anti-aging abilities. And… wait for it… they work. 

Now, you don’t need to understand every single thing about every ingredient you put on your skin, but isn’t it nice to have a bit of intel about the ones that stand the test of time AND do exactly what they claim? If only just to prove to all those skincare haters out there that you subscribe only to the most effective, proven ingredients, thanks very much. 

If you’re keen to get on board with the wonderful world of peptides, but you’re also sitting there wondering what on earth peptides are and, more importantly, what they can do for your skin, then you’ve come to the right place. Below is the entire lowdown on these science-driven, skin-saving stalwarts.

So let’s get straight to it, shall we?

What Are Peptides?

OK, we’re going to try and make this as simple as possible. You’ve heard of amino acids, right? And that they’re the building blocks of proteins? So, peptides are very similar to proteins, but while proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids, peptides are made up of much shorter strings of amino acids. They’re like protein’s baby cousins, if you will.

The human body contains peptides in every single one of its cells. They help strengthen your immune system, regulate blood pressure, provide a source of energy and, well, you get the picture. Basically, they’re everywhere which goes to show exactly how essential they are for life as we know it. 

The Relationship Between Peptides & Your Skin

As you know, collagen, elastin and keratin are important proteins in your skin. Well, peptides are the foundation of these proteins, allowing them to successfully go about their business of maintaining strength, support, elasticity and volume to your skin. Without peptides? Well, your skin would be a shadow of its former self. 

Speaking of which, thanks to aging and all the other environmental and lifestyle aggressors you throw at your skin, the production of these proteins starts to slow down significantly as you hit adulthood. Collagen, for example, naturally decreases by about 1 percent every year from around your mid-twenties: sometimes earlier, sometimes later depending on how well you look after your skin. This might not sound like a lot, but trust us, by the time you’re 40, that loss of collagen becomes very noticeable. Here’s looking at you fine lines and wrinkles!

The good news is this is where active skincare ingredients like peptides can help save the day. When applied topically to your skin, peptides trick your skin into thinking it needs to be healed, thus triggering collagen production and encouraging the synthesis of elastin fibers to help your skin restore and renew itself. Clever, right?

Are Peptides For You?

Are you noticing the first signs of visible aging or hoping to get ahead of the ‘mature skin’ curve? Then yes, your skin could definitely profit from the power of peptides. We could be here forever singing the praises and going over every single benefit of applying topical peptides to your skin. But don’t worry, we won’t. Instead, here are just three of the many visible effects you could look forward to…

1. Less Visible Lines – peptides encourage quality collagen which is the key to plump skin and less pronouced fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Firmer, Tighter Skin – collagen works hard to stop the skin from prematurely sagging (yeah, thanks for that, gravity!). This helps to keep it firm and lifted.
3. Reduced Redness – peptides are known to reduce inflammation which is great news for anyone suffering with facial redness, breakouts or irritation.

Of course, peptides can’t miraculously transform your skin all on their own. They’re good… just not that good! But combine them with other smart skincare choices like gentle cleansing, topical antioxidants and that all-important sun protection and you will start to see the benefits of a peptide-rich skincare regime before you know it.

How To Maximize Peptides In Your Daily Routine

The best way to include peptides in your skincare routine is by applying products that stay on your skin rather than formulations like cleansers or face scrubs that wash off. That’s money down the drain. Quite literally. 

Moisturizers and eye creams are both wise choices, but serums are arguably the best products for targeting skin aging because they contain small enough molecules to be able to deliver ingredients like peptides exactly where your skin needs them. Other, creamier formulations contain larger molecules which aren’t able to penetrate your skin so well. Serums all the way, baby!

In terms of knowing which peptide you should go for, truthfully, there’s no one variant that single-handedly outperforms the rest but Palmitoyl Pentapeptides are among the most common in skincare because they’re the ones most thought to trigger collagen and elastin production. We use a combination of Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tripeptide-5 and Tetrapeptide-7 in our awesome Multi-Peptide Collagen Renewal Serum to hit the signs of aging hard, without compromising your barrier function or causing irritation to your delicate skin. 

Multi-Peptide Collagen Renewal Serum also contains hydrating favorites like aloe vera, glycerin and hyaluronic acid, as well as skin-nourishing jojoba oil and antioxidant-rich green tea. 

Now that’s what we call a pretty impressive line-up.

Try it, you’ll love it!