They’re a common beauty ingredient – but what exactly are peptides? And what do they do that’s so special?
Peptides are a powerful anti-ageing tool, but most people don’t know what they actually are – or how they work in beauty products.
Peptides are chains of amino acids. Amino acids are the organic compounds responsible for giving proteins their structure, transporting nutrients and sending signals to other cells.
Proteins help to make up the body’s tissue, organs and skin. Collagen is one of the most important proteins – and it’s comprised of long segments of amino acids, arranged like a chain.
Before you hit the age of 30, collagen is in plentiful supply, giving you a ‘youthful’ look.
Over 30, you have less collagen: your skin tends to be thinner and reveals more wrinkles.
Collagen breakdown
When collagen deteriorates, it produces short segments of amino acids; these peptides transmit a ‘message’ to your body that collagen is depleting.
So, by applying peptides topically, your body can be ‘tricked’ into thinking your body needs to make new collagen.
Triggering collagen production can help to minimise wrinkles and give your skin a more youthful appearance. Peptides can also work to encourage skin elasticity and increase hydration.
Peptides in your beauty bag
Because short-chain amino acid peptides can easily penetrate the top layers of skin, they are the ideal ‘messenger’ to send signals to your skin cells to kick-start collagen synthesis.
That’s why peptides are increasingly used as a skincare ingredient to combat signs of ageing, including wrinkles and lacklustre skin.
If the science has got you excited, here are seven of our favourite peptide-packed products:
Dermalogica Age Smart Age Reversal Eye Complex – designed for mature or prematurely-ageing skin around the eye area, this product contains an Age Reversal Firming Complex that works synergistically with antioxidant Vitamin C, powerful peptides and botanical extracts – plus, it contains 0.1% microencapsulated retinol for fewer visible fine lines and wrinkles. It targets all the major concerns of the eye area including crow’s feet, puffiness, eye bags, dark circles due to hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity due to dehydration. Strengthening blood capillaries and increasing blood microcirculation, it reinforces structural support tissue to maintain skin firmness.
Heal Gel Face – an exceptional anti-ageing formula, Heal Gel Face is designed to smooth, firm and replenish, giving instantly plumper, revitalised skin. It contains powerful peptides to initiate a uniquely soothing and collagen-boosting process, with a unique blend of omega oils to replenish dehydrated skin and restore elasticity, and a three-part hyaluronic acid complex for a plumping and tightening effect.
Purelogical Super Antioxidant Moisturiser – this is an uplifting moisturiser infused with nano-vitamins, grape seed oil and green tea to help defend against free radical damage and photo ageing. By combining active peptides and proteins, clinically proven to boost collagen synthesis, it visibly reduces wrinkles, rehydrates and nourishes for a more youthful complexion.
Elemis Biotec Skin Energising Day Cream – ‘switching your skin back on’, Biotec is designed to energise your skin by increasing cellular activity. Enriched with water plantain peptides, it helps to hydrate and nourish, leaving your complexion looking smooth, youthful and revived.
Dermalogica UltraCalming Serum Concentrate – with a unique blend of peptides, this product helps to reduce redness and fortify skin’s barrier lipid layer, protecting against assaults that trigger redness and irritation.
Murad Intensive Age Diffusing Serum – with youth-building peptides to reverse the visible signs of ageing, this serum contains resurrection plant proteins to visibly increase skin firmness after just one application.
Amazing Cosmetics Line Smoother and Primer – creating the smoothest base for flawless pre-make-up application, Line Smoother and Primer is a multipurpose product that firms, hydrates and preps skin for make-up whilst reducing wrinkle depth and fine lines. It contains a powerful blend of peptides, ceramides and hyaluronic acid to resurface skin for a super smooth finish.
