
How Often Should I use Peptide Serum?
Ok so you’ve got your head around AHAs and BHAs, you’ve got an idea of what retinol is and how it benefits the skin, as for hyaluronic acid, you’ve already introduced it into your routine. But now we have peptides, yes, a must have skin ingredient that you didn’t realise you needed!
What are peptides?
The main benefits of peptides are their ability to boost collagen production enabling the skin to remain looking plumped and youthful with the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles visible reduced, leaving you with a smoother complexion. They can do this because of the fact they are amino acids and form the building blocks of protein in the skin. Peptides are also cell communicative ingredients which means they tell your skin to produce more collagen. Often found in serum and moisturiser formulas as well as post facial and peel products to restore balance to the skin.
The main skincare benefits of peptides:
Reduces the appearance of fine lines
Helps to strengthen the natural skin barrier
Combats signs of skin inflammation
Locks hydration into the skin surface
Repairs damage caused to the skin
Boost collagen production
Gives you smoother, firmer looking complexion
If you are wanting to know more about peptides, their skin benefits and how you can introduce them into your routine, check out our blog post.
When should you use peptide serum?
Applying your skincare products, the correct way will have a monumental impact on the effectiveness of your routine. I have shared with you before how the best way of applying products is starting with the thinnest consistency and working your way up to the thickest.
Best order for skincare application
Cleanser/ Face Wash
Exfoliating Toner
Serum
Face Oil (optimal)
Moisturiser
SPF (day application only)
Overnight Face Mask (evening application only)
The best time to apply a peptide serum is after an exfoliating toner and before any face oils or moisturiser. This will allow the lightweight serum to reach the area it needs to without having to battle against any physical barriers caused from thicker formulations.
What does a peptide serum do?
Peptides are often praised with the various benefits they are able to produce in the skin, from boost collagen, elastin, and keratin. By applying a peptide serum, you will find your complexion is revitalised, vibrant and strengthened resulting in it looking and feeling healthy. Having said that, as effective as peptides are at helping the skin, they are unable to match the difference other more potent ingredients are able to deliver, this is why many team peptides with other skin ingredients in their every day skincare routines.
How long does it take for peptide serum to work? This boils down to how consistent you are when using a peptide serum. Immediately after application you’ll find your skin is looking plumped, hydrated, and full of bounce. For more long-term results, many have said they begin to see a notable difference in their skin after just three to four weeks. Everyone’s skin is different as well as the variety of complimentary ingredients that can be used within your daily routine will either hinder or boost the effectiveness of the peptides. If you have any concerns with specific skin ingredients, its best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist beforehand to avoid any potential and unwanted allergic reactions. Can you use vitamin C serum and peptides together? You can indeed, as I have already mentioned peptides are effective with their collagen boosting benefits. But if you are wanting the best out of them teaming them with potent powerhouse ingredients, such as vitamin C, will result in one impressive power couple. With the antioxidant properties of vitamin C warding off the damage caused to the skin by free radicals and other environmental aggressors. All of which break down the collagen in the skin resulting in signs of ageing, such as loss of firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles becoming more prominent. The way vitamin C and peptides work together is whilst vitamin C is combating free radicals and preventing damage caused to existing collagen, peptides are boosting collagen production. This results in a firmer, brighter complexion that is glowing with health with minimised signs of ageing. Are peptides or retinol better? Retinol and peptides are both fabulous ingredients to introduce into your skincare routine. Both can perform separately on the skin, but by teaming them together you will be amazed with the results. You can either use both in your evening routine, or alternate applications by using peptides in the morning and retinol in your evening routine. One of the main benefits of retinol is its ability to speed up the skin cell turnover revealing a glowing, healthy complexion. Peptides, as you already know, work at boosting collagen production. With each ingredient working on different areas, you won’t have the worry of overloading your skin with a concoction that is too harsh for the skin. Do peptides really work? Yes and no, as complicated as it sounds, there are still several studies taking place to investigate how exactly peptides work on the skin. It’s still a mystery how peptides work on the skin, but what we do know is the results they deliver are impressive. As I have mentioned peptides are clever cell communicating ingredients which results them being able to mimic any skin cells without having to penetrate far into the skin. This results in peptides being able to work on all levels of the skin, from the epidermis right the way into the dermis of the skin. What are the side effects of peptides? For topical creams and formulations enriched in peptides, there are some side effects that can occur such as, skin sensitivity, rash and itching. This are quite uncommon; however, I strongly suggest you seek the advice of a doctor before using a new product on the skin. I have also already mentioned how performing a patch test for 24 hours is a good idea. To do this apply a 10p size amount of product to the inside of your arm and leave it overnight, if there are no signs of irritation, you have the green light to apply it to your face. So, there you have more information and some of your questions answered about peptides. Wasn’t as confusing as you originally thought huh? If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us over on our Instagram.
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.