The Anti-Aging Power of Peptides in Skincare

Aging is a natural part of life, and skin maturity concerns many men and women worldwide. Skincare has come a long way, and one ingredient this industry harnesses is collagen’s peptides. 

Peptides are potent and effective in skincare products as these offer plenty of incredible anti-aging benefits. Many use it to retain skin firmness, fight fine lines and wrinkles, and achieve a youthful, healthy glow. 

Want to learn more about peptides and skincare? Read on to learn how collagen peptides may help you achieve gorgeous, youthful skin. 

 

What Are Peptides?

Thinking back to high school chemistry lessons, you may have heard of the term peptides. Simply put, peptides are short chains of amino acids which make up proteins.

In skincare, they’re used as ingredients to stimulate the production of specific proteins needed for healthy and young-looking skin, namely collagen and elastin.

When one mentions peptides in skincare, he or she is most likely pertaining to collagen peptides. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that helps build our skin and bones. It helps give the body structure and our skin some elasticity.

Our bodies naturally produce collagen. However, as people mature and age, collagen production also slows down.

As such, some of the best night moisturizers for aging skin, along with other skin care products containing peptides are widely used to give our skin a little push and stimulate collagen production. In the long run, this may greatly help tighten skin on the face, resulting in firm, elastic, and smoother skin. 

Collagen normally has big molecules which can’t penetrate the skin. As is, it can only benefit our body by drinking it as a supplement. However, collagen peptides are small enough to sink into the skin, so people can now harness its benefits as a topical ingredient.

Collagen peptides are tiny fragments of the whole protein. Usually, as an ingredient, these are derived from animal products, usually from bovines or fish. Thankfully, due to the advancement of technology, vegan collagen has also become widely available in the market. 

Collagen peptides for skin are included in topical products, mostly serums, moisturizers, face masks, and creams. It’s mostly known for helping improve the youthful appearance and elasticity of the skin. 

Benefits of Collagen Peptides

Skincare peptides have multiple benefits. Here are some of the more popular ones people usually rave about. 

1. Collagen Peptides Help Minimize Signs of Aging

As people mature, the production of collagen and elastin also slows down. If left alone, this can weaken the skin, leading to sagging and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By helping your skin in producing collagen through peptides, you may also help your skin retain its firmness and elasticity. 

A 2020 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that peptides aid in minimizing the appearance of skin aging symptoms among participants. 

2. Peptides May Help Protect Your Skin vs. UV Rays and External Damage

The skin is your first line of defense against the damage brought about by sunlight, pollution, the environment, and other external irritants.

Peptides, according to some studies, may help reinforce the skin’s protective barrier. This may help it become more effective in blocking damage and irritation, also possibly preventing skin photo-aging. 

3. Peptides May Aid in Reducing Acne

There are collagen peptides that carry antimicrobial properties, so they can help fight off bacteria. With this, some research suggests that such peptides may help relieve chronic skin conditions like acne.

Acne forms as an immune system response to bacteria and builds up, clogging a person’s pores. As such, using antimicrobial peptides in skincare may reduce and prevent microorganisms like bacteria from getting stuck in one’s pores. 

4. Peptides May Help in Wound Healing

Since collagen is an essential protein that makes up the skin and most of our body, stimulating its production with peptide products may help boost the healing time of wounds or minor injuries.

Collagen Peptides in Skincare

There are many different collagen peptides that one may use in skincare. Manufacturers in the skincare industry may choose what peptides to use depending on the benefits they want to provide consumers. 

Today, we’re putting the spotlight on two fantastic peptides to look out for in your skincare products: Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and Hexapeptide-9.

Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 

One notable collagen peptide in skincare is called Palmitoyl tripeptide-5. It’s synthetic, and it contains three amino acid chains connected by fatty acids. This peptide is small enough to be able to sink into the skin’s topmost layer and go deep into the dermis. Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 helps start collagen production. 

This particular peptide stimulates collagen production by acting on particular skin receptors to start the process. Given this, it helps retain skin firmness and elasticity, minimizes the signs of aging, and helps you achieve a youthful, healthier glow.

Other than helping fight against skin aging and supporting healthy skin cell functions, this peptide may also help in getting rid of toxins in the skin. 

You may find this collagen peptide in skincare products like serums, moisturizers, and creams. 

To reiterate, Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is synthetic, and for many people, something being “synthetic” may be a red flag. For peptides, you don’t need to worry. Since this collagen is made in a laboratory, chemists making or formulating it have more control over the benefits it can bring. 

Hexapeptide-9

Hexapeptide-9 is a synthetic peptide made up of six amino acids It’s another synthetic collagen peptide with a notable anti-wrinkle effect on the skin. 

Hexapeptide-9 helps the skin retain its firmness and elasticity in three main ways. 

First, it helps increase the production of collagen in the body. 

Second, it also helps promote the formation of the connective tissues between epidermal and dermal cells, as well as reinforcing the said tissues. 

Lastly, it also helps reinforce epidermal cells as it matures. It also promotes the differentiation of the said cells.  

Given these mechanisms, Hexapeptide-9 can not only prevent fine lines but also helps fade them away. It also helps provide hydration and aids in the reorganization of collagen for optimal elasticity, making it a great skincare ingredient to use to fight loose, sagging skin. 

Additionally, Hexapeptide-9 can also improve skin texture and hydration levels, leading to a smoother, more youthful-looking complexion. It is often used in anti-aging serums, creams, and lotions and can effectively improve the overall appearance and health of the skin.

How to Choose Peptide Products

Before buying any peptide product off the shelf, you need to make some considerations to reap the most benefits.

Keep these things in mind when buying peptide products:

Look for Peptides in the Right Product

While you can find peptides in most types of skincare products – from cleansers to night creams – it’s best to get them in products that can stay on your skin for longer. As such, it’s best to opt for serums and moisturizers, such as XND Skin’s Restore Night Moisturizer, when buying it instead of cleansers that are rinsed off.

Take Note of Other Ingredients in Your Routine

As is common in skin care, ingredients can interact positively and negatively. Given this, it’s best to research the other skin care ingredients in your routine that you’re planning to use with your peptide product.

For example, peptides can work well with several other common skincare ingredients, such as niacinamide, Vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. Meanwhile, peptides become less effective when used with AHA chemical peels. 

Check the Ingredients List

The best peptide products usually have said peptides at the top of their ingredients list.

Harness the Power of Peptides

With many anti-aging products available in the market, you may be intimidated about choosing which one to choose. Many skincare ingredients are effective, and some of the most beneficial ones you can find are collagen peptides.

Peptides in skincare are loved by many. Given how well it helps in aiding collagen production, fighting skin aging, and supporting our skin’s overall health, it’s easy to see why. You can also harness the power of peptides in skincare. Try out peptide products today and see the difference they can make.