The Science of Carnosine in Skin Care Products

Carnosine is a naturally occurring peptide that’s gaining popularity in skincare due to its antioxidant and pigment-correcting properties. This peptide, made of two amino acids (β-alanine and histidine), is found in high concentrations in animal tissues. Although it’s praised for its potential anti-aging and skin-brightening effects, it’s important to understand how it works and how it compares to other skincare peptides. In this guide, we’ll explore what carnosine is, its benefits, and how it compares to other peptides. We’ll also identify which Baumann Skin Types could benefit from using carnosine products.

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What is Carnosine?

Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) is a dipeptide naturally found in animal tissues, particularly in muscles and the brain. It’s created in the body using an enzyme called carnosine synthase, which combines the amino acids β-alanine and histidine. Unlike many peptides that break down quickly, carnosine resists this degradation and stays longer in the body, making it valuable for skincare and health products.

Where does Carnosine come from?

Animal Sources – Carnosine is mainly found in animal tissues like chicken, pork, and beef, especially in muscles and the brain. It’s also present in smaller amounts in fish. Anserine, a related peptide, is more common in poultry and has similar properties.

Produced in Humans – In humans, this dipeptide is made in muscles, the brain, and other tissues by an enzyme called carnosine synthase, which combines β-alanine and L-histidine.

Lab-Made Carnosine – While carnosine is usually extracted from animal tissues, it can also be synthesized in the lab. One recent study showed that scientists could produce the dipeptide efficiently using whole-cell biocatalysts. (4)

Carnosine Benefits

Antioxidant Properties – This dipeptide is a strong antioxidant that fights free radicals, which can cause aging and damage to the skin. It can also bind to metal ions, making it even more effective at protecting against oxidative stress.

Pigment-Correcting Properties – Recent research shows that carnosine, along with anserine, can reduce melanin production by blocking tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin formation. This helps reduce hyperpigmentation and evens out skin tone.

Anti-Glycation Effects – Glycation happens when sugars attach to proteins, creating advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that speed up aging. This dipeptide prevents this process, protecting collagen and elastin from damage.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties – By reducing oxidative stress, this ingredient also helps reduce redness and irritation, making it beneficial for sensitive skin types.

Here are some of the best skincare products with carnosine:

Carnosine Side Effects

Carnosine is generally safe for both topical and oral use. However, some people might experience mild irritation or skin allergy when using skincare products with this ingredient. It’s a good idea to do a patch test before applying it to your entire face. This ingredient is not comedogenic, meaning it is safe for acne prone skin. Additionally, organizations such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) grade this dipeptide as safe to use in skin care.

Is carnosine vegan?

Carnosine is not vegan because it’s sourced from animal tissues. Currently, there are no vegetarian or vegan sources of this ingredient. Vegans can look for synthetic peptides that have similar antioxidant and anti-glycation effects.

How do carnosine supplements work?

When taken orally, carnosine supplements are absorbed in the small intestine and then spread throughout the body. This increases present levels in muscles and the brain, providing antioxidant and anti-glycation benefits.

In the Human Body

All vertebrates, including humans, naturally produce carnosine. It’s found in the highest concentrations in muscles and the brain. However, levels of this dipeptide decrease as we age, which might contribute to increased oxidative stress and aging.

Carnosine vs other Peptides

Defensins – Defensins are peptides that protect the skin from infections. While carnosine focuses on fighting oxidative stress and glycation, defensins primarily target bacteria and other microbes.

Signal Peptides – Signal peptides play a key role in cellular repair and regeneration. Unlike carnosine, which mainly acts as an antioxidant, signal peptides help stimulate collagen production and wound healing.

Matrikines – Matrikines are small protein fragments that stimulate collagen and elastin production. While carnosine also has anti-aging effects, it works differently by preventing oxidative stress and glycation.

TriHex Peptides – TriHex peptides help with collagen production and skin repair. They work well with antioxidants like carnosine but focus specifically on repairing the skin’s support structure.

Carnosine for anti-aging

Carnosine helps with anti-aging by fighting oxidative stress and glycation. By neutralizing free radicals and preventing AGEs from forming, this dipeptide helps protect collagen and elastin, keeping the skin firm and elastic. It is important to note that while peptides are very promising and interesting anti-aging ingredients, I recommend using them alongside other ingredients such as retinoids, exfoliators, SPF products, etc.

Carnosine for hyperpigmentation

This dipeptide can reduce hyperpigmentation by interfering with melanogenesis. By preventing melanin from forming, this ingredient helps fade dark spots and even out the skin tone. The exact mechanism of how carnosine accomplishes this is still being researched.

Which Baumann Skin Types can use Carnosine?

Several Baumann Skin Types can benefit from using carnosine, namely, pigmented and wrinkled skin types such as:

Oily Resistant Pigmented Wrinkled (ORPW): this ingredient helps reduce both wrinkles and dark spots.

Dry Sensitive Pigmented Wrinkled (DSPW): Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties soothe sensitive skin while reducing pigmentation and wrinkles.

To find out your specific Baumann Skin Type and see if this fascinating dipeptide is right for you, take the Skin Type Quiz by clicking the button below!

Conclusion

Carnosine is a promising peptide with antioxidant and pigment-correcting properties. While it’s not the most powerful anti-aging ingredient on its own, it works well with other peptides and antioxidants to provide comprehensive skincare benefits. As more research uncovers the potential of peptides, this ingredient will likely remain an important part of the skincare conversation.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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