What are peptides? An introduction to skin peptides
For some time now, peptides, or peptides, have been a buzzword in the skin care world. We don’t know about you, but we still know a little bit about the benefits of this miracle of Botox in a bottle. So if you want to take a deeper look at these anti-aging products, keep reading to learn more.
What are peptides in skin care?
Are you ready for a science lesson? Peptides are small compounds that form short chains of amino acids. These acids create proteins, which form the building blocks of your skin. Peptides can send messages to other areas of your skin, such as: B. Collagen, and when you apply them topically to your skin, it stimulates the production of more peptides.
This may sound complicated, but it’s easy to achieve because peptides are protein fragments. When added to skin care, these smaller protein fragments can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin, stimulating the production of more collagen and making your face look younger. Pretty smart, don’t you think?
What do peptides do for your skin?
Peptides are often found in professional skin treatments after procedures like microneedling or lasers. These peptides penetrate deeper into the skin, helping it heal and recover faster. There are various other skin benefits, although this may be divisive to some people because there are many different theories about peptides. Generally speaking, there are three main categories of peptides: signal peptides, carrier peptides, and peptides that inhibit nerve signals, all of which can benefit the skin.
Here are the main benefits of peptides for skin:
Peptides strengthen the skin barrier – By applying peptides to the skin, you can increase the number of skin cells, which can help improve the skin barrier, which is damaged every day by UV rays, pollution, and other environmental stressors to varying degrees.
Peptides reduce the appearance of fine lines – Peptides help the skin give it an overall younger appearance by increasing collagen production, which can help to give it a more youthful complexion.
Peptides have anti-inflammatory properties – You’ll find that peptides also contain a variety of antioxidants that can soothe and calm the skin, reduce inflammation, and heal the skin barrier.
Peptides make the skin firmer – As mentioned earlier, peptides that inhibit nerve signals can smooth fine lines and add elastin to the skin, turning back the clock.
Peptides lock in moisture – As we age, our skin can no longer retain as much moisture, making it dry, dull, and more prone to signs of aging like fine lines. Peptides lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated and supple.
Peptides can smooth out your complexion – If you have issues with uneven skin tone or texture, peptides may be the solution! By increasing collagen, your overall complexion will improve and become more even over time.
There are two main benefits to using peptides in your daily routine. As I mentioned before, opinions vary as to whether peptides are powerful enough to work on their own and produce so many results. Others believe that peptides should be used in a cocktail formula with other skin-repairing ingredients, such as antioxidants. With this cocktail of powerful active ingredients, you’ll get truly impressive results, and your complexion will look younger.
How to Incorporate Peptides into Your Skin Care Routine
You can find peptides in a variety of skin care products, from face washes to moisturizers to serums, but you need to consider which product is best for you and your skin. Peptides are safe to use on all skin types and will not cause skin irritation. However, if you’re unsure, it’s always recommended to consult a dermatologist.
To give the peptides enough time to penetrate the skin and work, it’s best to opt for serums and moisturizers, as these products stay on your face longer than face washes and eventually need to be rinsed off with water. To really reap the benefits of using peptides in your skincare routine, remember to combine them with other active ingredients to reduce signs of aging and rejuvenate a dull complexion.
What are the side effects of using peptides?
Peptides themselves have no real side effects and are generally suitable for all skin types. However, one thing to keep in mind is that peptides should not be used when using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) because facial acids chemically exfoliate the skin and are too harsh for peptides to penetrate the skin layers. This means that the peptides essentially dissolve and become useless. If you want to incorporate peptides into your skincare routine, and your skincare routine already includes products containing AHAs and BHAs, try adjusting your routine and alternating between morning and night use of the products.
Here’s what peptides are and how they can benefit your skin. While there are many conflicting opinions on how effective peptides are and what benefits they can have on the skin, we believe that this product can improve signs of aging, repair the moisture barrier, and give the face a firm, flawless glow without causing skin reactions or irritation, which we think is even better. Well, with that out of the way, let’s grab a bottle or two and see how it goes! Don’t worry, we’ll let you know how we get on!
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.
