As we age, the quest for youthful, radiant skin becomes ever more important. Amid the sea of skincare ingredients promising miraculous results, peptides have emerged as a star player.
But what exactly are peptides, and how can they benefit mature skin?
If you’re over 40 and looking for an uncomplicated yet effective addition to your skincare routine, understanding peptides is a great place to start. Let’s dive into the science behind these powerful molecules and discover how they can help you achieve your best skin yet.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins. These amino acids can be combined into hundreds of formations, creating hundreds more unique proteins in the body. Some of these proteins have a direct impact on skin firmness and texture.
Collagen and elastin are two proteins that are directly linked to the presence of peptides. They are also building blocks in their own right, helping the skin maintain its structure. Without peptides and their protein creations, wrinkles form and skin loses its elasticity.
To sum it all up in one sentence, amino acids combine to make peptides and peptides make proteins that benefit the skin. But there’s something much more fascinating going on at the microscopic level.
Peptides not only aid in the production of proteins, but each peptide type addresses a specific skincare need. They even ‘teach’ the skin how to rejuvenate itself.
It’s not anti-ageing magic. It’s anti-ageing science. And with the right peptides in the right quantities, peptides in skincare can target the exact causes of wrinkles and age spots and train the skin to return to its natural, timeless beauty.
The Benefits of Peptides in Skincare
Peptides are renowned for their skin-restoring abilities. They can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enhance skin firmness, and improve overall texture. Here’s why they are a crucial ingredient in any anti-ageing skincare regimen.
Stimulate Collagen and Elastin Production
Peptides signal the skin to produce more collagen and elastin, which are essential for skin firmness, elasticity, and a youthful appearance. As we age, collagen and elastin production declines, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. By boosting their production, peptides can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while improving skin texture and tone.
Strengthen Skin Barrier
Some peptides reinforce the skin's barrier function, helping to retain moisture and protect against environmental aggressors like pollution and UV rays. This is particularly beneficial for dry or sensitive skin types.
Promote Skin Repair and Healing
Peptides can facilitate the skin's natural repair process by encouraging cell regeneration. This makes them useful for treating sun damage, acne, and other skin concerns.
Reduce Inflammation and Redness
Certain peptides possess anti-inflammatory properties that can calm the skin and reduce redness or irritation, making them suitable for sensitive skin.
Fade Hyperpigmentation
Specialised peptides can help even out skin tone and fade dark spots or hyperpigmentation, contributing to a more radiant complexion.
Different types of peptides offer specific benefits, such as carrier peptides that deliver minerals for collagen production, signal peptides that trigger collagen synthesis, and enzyme-inhibiting peptides that prevent collagen breakdown. Peptide-rich skincare products can help improve overall skin health and appearance at any age.
How to Know if a Skincare Product Has Peptides
Understanding what’s on the label gets you one step closer to finding the right product for your skin. This is why we publish our complete ingredients list, along with thorough explanations for what each ingredient does. But how can you tell which ingredients are peptides? We’ll show you an easy trick.
Sometimes peptide ingredients will end with the word ‘peptide’. It’s also common for peptides to have a number following the name (e.g. Tridecapeptide-1). If neither is the case, look for ingredients beginning with the world ‘palmitoyl’.
Our Efficacy Cream contains two unique peptides: Neuropeptide and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8. We’ve selected these ingredients for their profound anti-ageing effects. Our neuropeptide targets inflammation and redness to soothe skin. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 addresses facial muscle contraction, further reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
How to Pick the Most Effective Peptide Skincare Products
When selecting peptide skincare products, opt for leave-on formulations like serums and moisturisers, as these allow peptides to work their magic over time. Peptides need this time to work with the proteins in your skin.
If a peptide is in a cleanser or rinse-off product, chances are it won’t be as effective. Peptides need to be absorbed into the skin to signal collagen growth. Cleansers should be primarily used to prep the skin for active ingredients to be applied via creams or serums.
Ensure the product is in airtight, opaque packaging to protect the peptides from light and air, which can degrade their effectiveness. Look for supporting ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides for additional benefits.
Can peptides mix with other ingredients?
Peptides play well with a variety of other skincare ingredients. They can be mixed with antioxidants, skin-replenishing ingredients, and hydrators to address multiple skin concerns. Combining peptides with ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid could also enhance their benefits.
Our Efficacy Cream aims to get the most from peptides, combining all of these ingredients and more into one, comprehensive skincare solution that:
- Hydrates and moisturises
- Balances tone and texture
- Improves skin barrier function, making skin feel plumper and firmer
- Calms inflammation and redness
- Renews the skin, further reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Led by our patent-pending BMPC™ Formulation, naturally derived and scientifically advanced ingredients work in harmony to unlock tremendous anti-ageing benefits for your skin. Nature and science now work together. Experience the best of both in Autralia’s first and only luxury skincare formulation.
What Peptides Will You Find in The Efficacy Cream?
Inside our Efficacy Cream, you’ll find two powerful peptides, each one providing specific anti-ageing benefits that contribute to all-around youthful-looking skin.
Neuropeptide
This potent multifunctional tripeptide combats premature ageing by soothing and repairing skin inflammation and redness. Controlling inflammation is crucial for our formula's effectiveness, as irritated skin cannot fully benefit from any treatment.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
This extremely powerful peptide combats the long-term ageing effects caused by daily facial expressions. Targets muscle contraction, reduces wrinkles, and enhances firmness. Mimics skin muscle molecules for a plumper, lifted appearance.
Are Peptides Safe For Skin?
Peptides are generally safe for all skin types and tones because they work proteins that naturally exist in the structure of your skin. They are gentle, hydrating, and compatible with many other skincare ingredients. Most importantly, peptides are backed by extensive research confirming their safety and effectiveness.
About Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides, also known as hydrolyzed collagen, are often used in both topical and oral skincare products. As a supplement, it can be difficult to engage its effectiveness since the peptides are being distributed throughout the body versus a localised area of skin. In topical use, they may help to hydrate the skin. Yet similar to supplements, it is difficult to determine if they are effective at stimulating collagen production.
What About Copper Peptides?
Heard about the copper peptide hype? The theory is that copper is an element that upregulates the production of collagen and elastin. Add copper peptides to the skin, more collagen is made.
While initial studies show that this could be the case, research is largely new in the area. While we encourage new advancements in skincare, proper testing should always come first. Other effective ingredients have been deeply researched and proven to be effective. Simply put, there’s still more work to be done in this space.
Peptides vs. Retinol
Peptides and retinol are two popular anti-ageing ingredients used in skincare products, but they have distinct differences in their mechanisms of action and effects on the skin.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity. Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is a potent anti-ageing ingredient that works by increasing cell turnover and promoting the production of new skin cells.
While both peptides and retinol aim to improve the skin's appearance and combat signs of ageing, they differ in their mechanisms:
- Peptides are generally gentler and more moisturising, making them suitable for daily use and sensitive skin types. Retinol could be more potent and may require a gradual introduction to avoid irritation.
- Retinol could deliver faster and more dramatic results by accelerating cell turnover, while peptides work more gradually to improve skin texture and boost long-term collagen production.
Some skincare routines combine peptides and retinol for a comprehensive approach, but if you have never used retinol before, gradually introduce it into your routine to avoid excessive irritation.
How to Get the Best Results From Peptides
Peptides are one of the most effective ingredients in skincare, but they are not without their limitations. It’s important to understand that a daily skincare regimen is the way to truly unlock their benefits.
When peptides absorb deep into the skin, they begin to signal collagen production. While this activity is happening on the molecular level, you might not notice any differences for a few weeks or longer. This is because everyone’s skin regenerative cycle (the time it takes for new skin cells to form) is different. This cycle grows as we age. Consistent daily application (and a tiny bit of patience) begets consistent results.
You should also keep in mind that peptides are only one part of the skincare equation. Using them in tandem with other highly effective ingredients will unlock their potential.
Unlock Timeless Beauty With AIJAN
Incorporating peptides into your skincare routine can be a game-changer for mature skin. These powerful molecules work at a cellular level to repair, rejuvenate, and protect, offering a sophisticated yet simple solution to common signs of ageing.
At AIJAN, we harness the power of peptides and more in our luxury skincare products, formulated specifically for those who seek effective and uncomplicated skincare. Embrace the transformative benefits of peptides and unlock a more youthful, radiant complexion today.
