What are the benefits of skin peptides? Why they are a must have in your anti-aging routine? Discover how peptides, the latest beauty buzzword, can help skin aging.
If you know anything about skin aging, you’ll already have heard about skin peptides, the protein fragments touted as the latest must-have anti-aging actives. You’ll probably also know that maintaining your skin’s collagen levels is key to keeping your skin smoother as you age. One of the ways you can do that, is by choosing skincare that includes specific peptides that boost collagen as an active ingredient. Many different peptides exist, each works on a specific issue, but in anti-aging terms, collagen production is top of the wishlist.
Collagen loss over time leads to lines, wrinkles and loss of tone
As the skin’s main fiber, collagen keeps it firm and supple. But as we age, the body makes less and less of it, especially if the skin has been exposed to a lot of UV damage, or toxic cigarette smoke. Collagen loss over time leads to lines, wrinkles and loss of tone, so in skincare terms, investing in collagen protection and production is a powerful way to fight back against the aging process. Peptides for skin can help with this, but what do they actually do? Here’s everything you need to know.
Skin peptides are natural
These short chains of amino acids are naturally present in the body already and form the basis of certain proteins, including collagen, keratin and elastin, all found in the skin. Plant peptides, in particular from pea and wheat plants, are frequently used in skincare to strengthen the proteins already present in the skin.
Skin peptides can tell the body to make more collagen
By locking onto receptor cells in the body, peptides trigger metabolic actions, effectively telling it to make or use a nutrient, for example. In skincare, this usually means telling cells deep inside the skin to synthesize more collagen, one of the proteins that keep skin intact, making it more resilient to the aging process.
Skin peptides can make skin firmer
Collagen helps hold the skin’s two main layers – the top layer, or dermis; and the second layer, or epidermis - together. During the aging process, the epidermis thins and the junction layer between the dermis and epidermis flattens out, causing sagging and loss of elasticity. By triggering the skin to make more collagen and strengthening the collagen already present, peptides for skin have an effect on both tone and elasticity. More collagen means firmer, plumper, younger-looking skin.
Different skin peptides work in different ways
By locking onto very precise receptors in the skin, different peptides can produce different effects. The peptide Dermican™ boosts tissue repair for example, and other peptides can work on brightening the skin, reducing acne and improving rosacea. From smoothing lines and repairing damage, to boosting hydration and improving skin color, anti-aging skincare often contains peptides for skin, especially those that tell the body to make collagen more efficiently, helping to keep skin toned and smooth.
Skin peptides can be combined with other ingredients
Peptides for skin are great on their own, but like so many things, they’re better as part of a package. Choosing a cream like LiftActiv Collagen Specialist, that teams a powerful association of anti-aging skin peptides with brightening vitamin C, also works on hydration levels and oxidation, which, alongside peptide-based actions on firmness and elasticity, does double duty on anti-aging.
Used correctly, peptides can be skincare power-players, stimulating skin cell renewal and regeneration, and playing a major part in tackling several different signs of aging with targeted action. Make space for products that include peptides in your daily skincare routine and you’ll reap the anti-aging benefits.
