If you are looking to improve the firmness of your skin as well as to soften lines and wrinkles, you've probably come across the word "peptides" for the skin.
While buzz words can often be misleading – believe us when we say peptides are the real deal. Not only do they prevent wrinkles and dehydration, but they keep your skin firm and youthful.
Keep reading for the scoop on peptides, their many benefits, and how you can improve your skin's health and look.
What are Peptides and How Do They Work?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids similar to proteins, but smaller in size. What makes them unique is that they help encourage our bodies to produce proteins essential for healthy skin such as collagen, elastin, and keratin. The problem is that when we age, our production of amino acids and peptides decreases, and skin begins to falter.
According to the National Institutes of Health, peptides send a message to our skin cells to replace lost collagen. Since peptides are small, they can easily enter the bloodstream and penetrate the skin for faster benefits. For that reason, it's essential to aid our skin by applying them topically.
Skin Benefits of Peptides
Now that you know what peptides are and how they work, let's look at how they can tackle several skin issues.
Aids in Collagen Production
We know that peptides help encourage collagen production, but why is collagen necessary for healthy skin? Collagen is a critical component in the structure of our skin, hair, and nails. It keeps skin looking firm, plump, and hydrated.
Even though our skin produces collagen daily, it loses and decreases the production of it starting around our mid-20s. This is when we begin to see signs of aging, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, fine lines, bags, and more.
Thankfully, peptides nudge our skin to produce more collagen and stay looking youthful.
Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines
Peptides are praised for their anti-wrinkle benefits. This includes those pesky fine lines we all dread. When we make facial expressions, our skin forms grooves we recognize as fine lines. Fine lines can appear around the corner of our eyes, mouth, and forehead. By using peptides, you can remind your skin to bounce back the way it did when it was young.
Improves Skin Firmness
Collagen is also responsible for skin elasticity. Without the proper amount of collagen, our skin loses its firmness and begins to wilt. By nourishing your skin with peptides, you can increase firmness and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Strengthens Skin Barrier
Our skin is made up of several dermal layers. As we age, these barriers lose their integrity and weaken.
Peptides act as messengers between cells and help transport important elements for the synthesis of collagen, a crucial component for a healthy skin barrier. By amplifying and stimulating skin cells, peptides help restore and strengthen the skin barrier.
Locks in Hydration
Our body needs water to maintain a healthy state. However, skin is constantly losing water by evaporation and dehydration. As more water evaporates from the skin, the accumulation of dry cells increases, this makes your skin look dull and tired. Using a moisturizer packed with peptides will help maintain hydration and retain moisture longer for hydrated and plump skin.
Great Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation can happen for a number of reasons. When our skin becomes inflamed, it's typically because our immune system is responding to some irritant. Classic signs of inflammation include swelling, redness, pain, and heat.
Peptides, as neuro cell transmitters, can help to decrease inflammation and speed up wound healing. Furthermore, they play a crucial role in skin renewal, assisting with toning, firming, and energizing your skin. Peptides also help to boost radiance, revive dullness, and minimize discoloration.
How to Use Peptides
The best way to apply peptides may depend on the formula you choose. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should aim to include peptides in your routine twice per day, morning, and night. Avoid including them in your cleanser or any wash off formula as they deliver the most value when they can absorb and penetrate into your skin.
If your goal is firmer, smoother, and younger-looking skin, peptides are a great ally but isolated, they are not enough. Make sure to include in your skincare routine a mix of antioxidants and other skin-nourishing ingredients, in addition to peptides, to achieve the best results.
The best way to add peptides to your routine is through serums and moisturizers. Our Restorative Eye Cream contains a mix of 5 skin-boosting peptides as well as antioxidants like Vitamin C and soothing botanicals. Its cutting edges peptides like Matrixyl 3000 and Tripeptide-5 increase firmness and reduce inflammation. Plus, hydrating Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, COQ10, and Vitamin B5 reveal a brighter, more youthful appearance.
We love this formula because you can apply to your face and neck, in addition to the eye area. We recommend using it after cleansing in the morning and at night. For extra glowing, beautiful skin, combine it with the Advanced Vitamin C Serum, packed with antioxidants.
Add Powerful Peptides to your Skincare Routine
Peptides are an essential ingredient to keep skin looking firm and youthful and should be part of your daily routine along with the daily application of your favorite sunscreen. As with anything in life, consistency is critical to experience the best results.
Have you already included peptides in your routine? Please let us know about your experience in the comments area below.
