Time to Add Some Protein to Your Skincare Routine AKA Peptides!
Everyday there are new words coming up in the skincare dictionary. Some, literally, can’t even be pronounced! But not all of them are falsies, some are genuinely good for our skin. One such ingredient is — yes you got it — polypeptides.
You might have heard the buzz around how peptides for skin is anti-aging, and are must-haves in a skincare regimen. But have you wondered what they actually are and what they do to our skin?
Peptides have been found to preserve and boost collagen production. This, in turn, keeps the skin young and signs of aging at bay.
Most importantly, the question is, are they worth the price tag? The short answer is yes, they are. In fact, peptides are the new golden grail of skincare. Read along to know the facts about peptides and why dermatologists recommend it for our skin.
CONTENT INDEX
- All about peptides
- Types of peptides
- Benefits of using peptides
Without further ado, let us see what peptides are.
Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. A polypeptide is a longer, continuous, unbranched peptide chain. Peptides have emerged as important biological entities that are useful for treating diseases, reducing inflammation, making food more nutritious, reversing aging and killing microbes in the body.
Due to this reason, peptides-infused skincare products are applied on the skin. Peptides seep into the skin and boost collagen that produces new skin cells, thus keeping the skin fresh and glowing.
Peptides are fragmented portions of protein, and are especially useful for our skin, as large non-fragmented proteins (like collagen) are difficult to absorb. Peptide products, when applied topically, go deep into the cellular level of the skin and treat our skin problems.
Peptides can be found in:
- serums
- masks
- moisturizers
- night creams
- topical serums (after microneedling procedures)
- face wash
Peptides serve not only as building blocks for new collagen, but also for elastin fiber. Once you start applying products based on peptides, your body starts getting signals to produce more collagen to heal the skin when you need it the most.
There are mainly three types of peptides to reduce wrinkles and other aging problems of skin.
Types of Peptides
Signal peptides:
Signal peptides, or palmitoyl pentapeptides, are the most common peptides used in the skincare world. They are known to stimulate collagen production and skin elasticity, which makes the skin look fuller and more youthful.
Carrier peptides:
As the name suggests, carrier peptides are carriers of trace elements such as copper and magnesium. Copper recently has been found to boost collagen and keep other skin problems away. It also aids in enhancing elasticity and keeping the skin firm. Studies show that copper and magnesium are found to improve and brighten age spots, thereby winning over aging skin.
Enzyme-inhibitor peptides
Enzyme-inhibitor peptides are a type of peptides responsible for breaking the natural process of losing collagen in the skin. Peptides derived from rice protein work to increase collagen while peptides derived from soy reduce pigmentation.
Now let us move on to the benefits of polypeptides for our skin.
Perks of Using Peptides for the Skin
Increases collagen
One of the biggest advantages of using peptide skincare, is we can increase the production of collagen. What happens next? With increased collagen, our skin produces new skin cells that replace old and dead ones to give our face a fresh look.
When collagen breaks down, peptides send signals to the skin’s cells. This means less wrinkles, fine lines and more clear, smooth skin.
Goodbye, signs of aging
Peptides for the skin provide the skin a fuller, plumper look. They are key elements in preserving the skin’s beauty and shooing away signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines and hyperpigmentation.
Strengthens skin barrier
Peptides also protect our outermost skin layer— the epidermis — against external pollutants. They do this indirectly by strengthening production of new cells which in turn keep our skin barrier strong.
Anti-inflammatory
Peptide skin products are generally anti-inflammatory in nature. This means that they soothe and calm your skin and reduce redness and irritation caused by skin issues such as acne.
Locks in hydration
This is an underrated function of peptide. It locks in moisture and keeps our skin hydrated. What more do we need? As we age, our skin becomes more dehydrated due to slow production of collagen. By using peptides, we can replenish our skin with newly produced cells, and keep our skin hydrated and clear.
Repairs damaged skin
Another important function of peptide is to heal our skin inside out. When applied on our skin, it sends signals to the cells to repair damaged skin and keep the skin smooth and firm.
Next, let us see how we can apply polypeptides on our skin.
How do we Use Peptides?
Well, as you might have guessed it, peptide skincare products are the best way to infuse peptides into the skin. You can find them in serums, face washes, moisturizers and other products.
There is no restriction to using peptide products on the skin, and it completely depends on your skin type and requirements. However, twice a day is ideal. When choosing a product, don’t go for face washes, as they tend to easily get washed away from the skin. Instead, opt for products that sit on the skin for longer periods, such as face serums, creams or lotions.
PS: You can combine peptides with Vitamin C for overall improvement of skin texture and locking in moisture content!
Along with this, it is important to follow a good skincare routine. This means choosing the right products for our skin free from toxic chemicals. Here at UnbottleCo, we have what we call the skintelligent® range to treat skin problems organically, without harsh chemicals. Some of them are given below:
Deep Hydrating Face Cleanser Proven To Fight Dry Skin With Lactic Acid & Alpha Arbutin
Hi! I’m Tuco Skintelligent®'s Deep Hydrating Face Cleanser. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
To treat:
- Lactic acid is a natural AHA which helps skin elasticity and lightens dark spots
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
To prevent recurrence:
- Arginine PCA captures skin moisture and keeps it hydrated all day long
- Alpha-arbutin brightens skin tone and heals skin damage
Age Defence Body Wash Proven To Fight Wrinkles & Fine Lines With Grapeseed Oil & Green Tea
Hi! I’m Tuco Skintelligent® 's Age-Defence Body Wash. Here are the botanical super-actives I have inside me.
To treat:
- Wintergreen-derived salicylic acid acts on acne and dries it out. Salicylic acid benefits the skin by helping shed off dead skin cells from the top layer, decreases redness, reduces excess oil, and unclogs pores.
- Safflower seed is an antioxidant storehouse and lightens acne scars
- Kakadu plum, rich in Vitamin C, boosts skin brightening
To prevent recurrence:
- Chamomile acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
- Cherimoya fruit extract reduces the body’s oxidative stress
- Rosehip oil exfoliates and brightens skin
- Sodium hyaluronate has the magical duality to moisturize skin and reduce inflammation
- Curcumin from turmeric acts as a powerful antioxidant to eliminate free radicals
- Centella Asiatica naturally treats small breakouts on skin before they get aggravated