For centuries, women have been seeking new and inventive ways to prevent signs of aging, such as crow’s feet around the eyes and wrinkles around the mouth and hands. Today, women need not rely on soaking daily in a bath of honey and goat’s milk like Cleopatra. Instead, they can select skincare from a wide variety of options to target their specific skincare concerns. The more successful of these products contain peptides for skin care.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are made of amino acids and are fragments of proteins. These peptides are combined to create proteins, which are fundamental for youthful and healthy skin. As we age, our body’s production of peptides, especially collagen, begins to decline which results in a loss of skin firmness, wrinkles, changes in skin texture and hydration, and discoloration.

While many of these peptides can be found in foods such as grains, beans, dairy products and meats, a healthy diet is often not enough to supplement the lost collagen and reduce the signs of aging, which has prompted the production of synthetic peptides that can be applied topically to the skin or supplements which can be ingested with meals.

Synthetic Peptides and Skincare

Everyone has different needs when it comes to their skincare. Synthetic peptides can address various skin concerns, such as hydration, firmness, discoloration, and wrinkles, more effectively than traditional or natural forms.

It has been proven that as collagen production in skin deteriorates as a result of age and environmental factors, the skin will naturally signal the cells to generate new collagen production. These synthetic peptides are able to trick the skin into thinking that collagen is deteriorating and signaling the need for a new production in collagen. In addition, these synthetic peptides can be manipulated to produce specific results, allowing for a more personalized skincare routine.

As the world of skincare continues to evolve, synthetic peptides will continue to play an integral role in providing personalized skin care treatments to promote healthy and youthful-looking skin.

Peptides in Skincare Products

Peptides can be found in a wide variety of skincare products such as creams and serums, which are targeted to help combat the visible signs of aging. These skincare products often rely on short-chain amino acid peptides to visibly reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. In addition, the right skin cream can help to improve other skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis.

While skincare products are usually applied topically, there are some skin care products in the form of supplements, which can come in pills or powders. Many of these supplements contain peptides to improve skin health. One of the most common peptides in these supplements is hydrolyzed collagen, which works to improve skin elasticity and hydration.

What Should I Look For?

When looking at skincare products, it becomes difficult to tell if they contain these peptides that help to reduce the signs of aging. A simple way to determine whether a product contains peptides is to look at the ingredients list included with the product.

Some of the most commonly used peptides in skincare products include Matrixyl (palmitoyl or oligopeptide pentapeptide), Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide), and Octapeptide. Matrixyl is very effective in reducing fine lines. In addition, Matrixyl stimulates the production of elastin and collagen, for healthier and more youthful skin.

The anti-aging peptides, Argireline and Octapeptide, are often found in popular and effective skin care products. Argireline and Octapeptide work wonderfully on wrinkles around the eyes or forehead by relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to fade the appearance of fine lines.

Peptides For Youthful, Healthy Skin

Retaining a youthful and healthy appearance has been and will continue to be a concern for many women, and the effectiveness of peptides when it comes to achieving the results they are seeking cannot be overlooked. The use of premium peptides in skincare will only increase in popularity as the cosmetics industry continues to evolve, conduct extensive research, and develop more personalized treatments for specific skin concerns.

Have you tried anti-aging products containing peptides? Were they effective? Let us know!

Guest Blogger

David Olson, he can be reached at david.jp.olson1@gmail.com