You've probably seen this special ingredient rise in popularity over the past year and have noticed new products left and right labeled "peptide." The ever-so popular Gen-Zers have most recently reintroduced this key ingredient to social media, namely North West and Penelope Disick.
Although pre-teens don't benefit from anti-aging skincare, they were definitely onto something! Collagen is the main structural protein in the body, and it's responsible for keeping our skin looking firm, young, and radiant. After the age of 25, our body produces less collagen, which leads to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, loss of skin density and firmness. Loss of collagen also decreases with other factors such as environmental stressors, diet, and smoking. Glowy, plump skin can be retained through nutrition, skincare, and healthy habits.
What Are Peptides?
Ever owned a Pandora bracelet? Think of the small charms on a Pandora bracelet similar to amino acids: proteins could not be complete or exist without them. Keratin, collagen, and elastin make up a large portion of proteins within the human body. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and peptides are small chains of amino acids that can help stimulate collagen production.
Peptides are naturally found in meat, seafood, dairy products, and grains. Collagen supplements have also risen in popularity; notably in powder and liquid form. When applied topically, peptides trigger skin cells to perform specific functions and are extremely skin-restoring and revitalizing.
Why Peptides in Skincare?
This extremely advanced ingredient has many skin benefits including: combatting fine lines and wrinkles, skin barrier protection, wound healing, treating acne and hyperpigmentation.
However, peptides are most effective when paired with other supporting ingredients such as: hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, and antioxidants. Using this perfect blend of ingredients in serums and moisturizers will maximize your results, making for an incredible anti-aging skincare routine.
What Are the Benefits of Peptides in Skincare?
Anti-Aging
While there are an array of peptides, these powerhouses work on a cellular level to stimulate specific functions. Peptides are similar to worker bees in signaling other cells to produce collagen and elastin - without the side effects of AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids that may cause irritation.
Reduces Wrinkles
Neuropeptides can exert a Botox-like effect which relaxes facial muscle contractions that may cause fine lines and wrinkles. Signal, and carrier peptides work to reduce wrinkle depth by making the skin appear more plump.
Anti-Inflammatory
Peptides, especially copper peptides (also known as GHK-Cu), support wound repair while also decreasing skin inflammation.
Strengthens Skin Barrier
A resilient skin barrier is crucial to skin health. The skin barrier protects the skin from oxidative stress, infection, allergens, harsh chemicals and common skin concerns, such as fine lines, acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Firms Skin
Who doesn’t love a youthful bounce to their skin? Skin resilience also depends on the elasticity of the skin: elastic fibers provide stretch and recoil to the skin. When paired with hyaluronic acid and antioxidants, peptides are essential to building and maintaining skin elasticity and firmness.
Antibacterial
Sensitive and acne-prone skin types will find peptides incredibly beneficial due to their wound healing benefits and anti-microbial properties that can treat and reduce the risk of breakouts and scarring.
How Do Peptides Work On Your Skin
As time passes, cells lose strength and need other cells for guidance and nourishment; this is where peptides chime in. Peptides act as messengers to skin cells, signaling them to produce specific functions. They trick the body into thinking there’s a topical injury, stimulating collagen-boosting cells called fibroblasts.
Different Types of Peptides
As research is constantly developing, there are hundreds of different types of peptides, but to keep it short and sweet, we’ll dig into the most important ones: neurotransmitter, signal, carrier, and enzyme-inhibitor peptides.
1) Neurotransmitter Peptides
Studies have exhibited that neuropeptides in skincare can exert a Botox-like effect which relaxes facial muscle contractions that may cause fine lines and wrinkles. Using neuropeptides in tandem with Botox may even help results last longer. Neurotransmitter peptides also support the proliferation of collagen and wound healing.
2) Signal Peptides
The most common form found in skincare serums and moisturizers are signal peptides; these signal skin cells to stimulate hyaluronic acid, EGF, collagen and elastin production for firmer skin.
3) Carrier Peptides
Carrier peptides literally transport and deliver trace elements (zinc, copper, magnesium, etc.) necessary for wound healing and for combatting age spots/uneven skin tone.
These peptides act as bodyguards and block the release of enzymes that cause hyperpigmentation and tissue degradation.
Additional ingredients that you can mix with peptides
Peptides are best paired with other nourishing, skin-loving ingredients, such as: hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, sodium PCA, antioxidants, EGF, ceramides, and niacinamide.
Best Peptide-infused Products MIRACO Beauty Suggests
This unrivaled super serum is loaded with signal peptides, neuropeptides, EGF, plant stem cells, Antarcticine, ceramides, collagen and so much more. This powerhouse blend helps to encourage collagen synthesis, restore skin radiance, offer superior protection from environmental aggressors, while targeting dark circles and fine lines. Think of this tiny but mighty serum as a shot of daily vitamins for your skin that can be used day and night, after cleansing and toning.
This moisture-rich, non-greasy, age-defying cream is the crème de la crème of moisturizers. In addition to all the skin-loving ingredients the Super Serum offers, the Super Cream also features soy and wheat proteins, sodium PCA, and diamond powder. Both the S-Cell Super Serum and Cream can be used on the face, neck, and under-eye.
Hydra+ Deep Hydration Face Mask
Our Hydra+ sheet mask is like an instant facial with a soothing burst of hydration like you’ve never experienced before. With skin-caring ingredients like Antarcticine®, collagen, jellyfish extract, hyaluronic acid, and copper peptides (GHK-CU) to encourage skin elasticity, plump fine lines, and protect the skin. Your skin will thank you for a filter-free prep sesh especially after dermatological procedures, or after a long night out.
The Hydra+ Cream is a blue dream cream for your skin. It has the perfect balance of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients and is a water-based moisturizer. Although it does contain kinds of butter and avocado oil, the percentage is low enough for all skin types- dry, oily, combo, you name it. treated to promote your skin’s radiance while protecting the microbiome from harmful pollutants. Trace minerals and natural probiotics target dark spots, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and texture.
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