All About Peptides

Every day, it feels like there’s a trendy new skin care ingredient that’s said to change your skin for the better. Some ingredients are more hype than action, but others are really worth it — and peptides are an ingredient you won’t want to miss. Peptides, also called polypeptides, naturally occur in the skin, but they’re also included in many skin care products — and for good reason.

More specifically, collagen consists of three polypeptide chains, so adding peptides can stimulate your skin to produce more collagen. Increased collagen can lead to firmer, younger-looking skin. Your body naturally makes collagen, but over time, production decreases, which can make skin appear more wrinkled and less even and bright. Before reaching for that bottle, here’s what you should know.

*Benefits of peptides

The collagen molecule is actually too large to absorb through the skin, which is why so many people choose to eat collagen-rich bone broth or take collagen supplements. But peptides can be absorbed into the skin, where they can be used by the body. Incorporating peptides into your skin care routine has many benefits for the skin.

*Improved skin barrier

Improved skin barriers are the body’s line of defense against bacteria, ultraviolet rays, pollution, and other toxins. The skin barrier can be damaged from over-exfoliation, exposure to cigarette smoke and other pollution, or even poor sleep. Peptides help build up a stronger barrier.

*Reduced wrinkles
Collagen can plump skin and lips. When skin is firmer and plumper, wrinkles and fine lines will be less visible.

*More elastic skin
In addition to collagen, peptides also make up elastin fibers, also a type of protein. These fibers make skin look firmer and tauter.

*Eases inflammation
Peptides can help ease inflammation, repair damaged skin, and even out skin tone.

*Can help clear breakouts
Some peptides are antimicrobial, meaning they can kill bacteria that cause acne.

*How peptides work for skin
Peptides can penetrate the outer layer of the skin, so instead of sitting on top of the skin, they sink in more deeply. You can think of them as messengers for the other cells. They send signals telling the cells to produce collagen and elastin.

*Drawbacks and limitations of peptides

Peptides are often touted as a miracle cure, with some saying peptides work as well as Botox. This is because neurotransmitter peptides can temporarily block chemicals that cause muscle contraction, but it’s not as effective as Botox. While peptides can definitely be beneficial to your skin, there are still some drawbacks to be aware of.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin. Using a serum or moisturizer that contains peptides can lead to firmer, younger-looking skin and maybe even fewer breakouts. Peptides are generally considered safe, and while they’re a promising skin care ingredient, more research is needed on their efficacy. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that are the natural building blocks of protein in the skin, hair and nails. Peptides work hard to minimize the look of telltale signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines.