Peptides and polypeptides have multiple benefits for your skin and are a good help to slow down the aging process. They preserve skin elasticity and delay the formation of wrinkles. Several topical products include some of these useful substances, so you are probably already using them in your skincare regime. However, they are a very interesting topic if you are minimally interested in skin and cosmetics, so I recommend you to keep scrolling down and learn how to use these ingredients and why they can be extremely good for your skin.
WHAT ARE PEPTIDES AND POLYPEPTIDES AND HOW DO THEY
WORK IN THE SKIN
If peptides are short strings of amino acids held together by peptide bonds, polypeptides are peptide chains and, therefore, they have longer strings of amino acids (more than twenty). These amino acids are the elements that form proteins, including skin proteins such as collagen and elastin. Therefore, peptides are often described as fragmented proteins.
Peptides are a naturally occurring substance that forms when protease enzymes catalyze (breakdown) proteins, a process that is completely natural. The resulting fragments of these broken proteins are peptides. They act as signaling mechanisms that tell your cells to produce new proteins.
There are different types of peptides and they can work differently. However, broadly speaking, by adding the right peptides to your skin, you can “trick” your body and send certain orders like producing more collagen, elastin, or keratin. As the formation of these essential skin proteins decreases with age, enhancing their production literally improves skin moisture, firmness, elasticity, and glow.
Also, peptides are generally very well tolerated by all the skins and safe to be used twice a day, even during pregnancy.
But then, why not to apply collagen directly?
Applied topically, proteins like collagen and elastin are not able to go through the upper skin layers. They would remain on the skin surface. On the other hand, peptides are easily absorbed, and their low molecular size allows them to reach deeper skin layers and accomplish their mission.
TYPES OF PEPTIDES
As mentioned above, not all peptides in skin care have the same function, and technology nowadays allows scientists and cosmetologists to meticulously separate substances in order to use them for different purposes. According to this, we have classified 3 types of peptides used in skincare products that will help you to fight skin aging.
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Signal peptides
They work as messengers to induce the production of skin proteins like collagen and elastin. Consequently, they also increase the levels of glycosaminoglycans, which includes Hyaluronic Acid, and fibronectin in your skin, therefore, plumping it up and enhancing moisture.
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Carrier peptides
They are designed to promote wound healing. To this end, they carry wound healing cofactors like copper and can also stimulate the production of keratin and collagen. They are used to repair damaged skin after injury or to accelerate skin recovery after an aesthetic procedure.
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Neurotransmitter peptides
They are often called Botox-like peptides as they help to relax the facial muscles to a certain degree, which ultimately slows down the formation of expression lines. These peptides have been designed to reduce acetylcholine release in the neuromuscular junction. They have shown to be completely safe and a good ally to slow down the clock. Acetyl hexapeptide-3 is the most used neurotransmitter peptide.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Peptides are great for both preventing and improving skin aging signs.
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They visibly blur wrinkles.
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They improve skin elasticity and firmness.
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Perfect antiaging alternative to retinoids that are often not well tolerated.
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Peptides are safe and non-irritative.
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Effective ingredients to fight skin aging.
