Power of Peptides in Skin Care Creams and Serums

Little messengers in our skin, called peptides, communicate with fibrolasts and skin cells directing them on what to do. The result of those signals can have an array of outcomes depending on the DNA of the peptide chain doing the talking. Peptide chains are made of amino acids and can be synthesized in an infinite amount of different combinations. Skin care manufacturers are starting to identify which chains are the most beneficial and many have begun including them in their products.

Benefits of Peptides in Skin Care

A well performing peptide can be extremely valuable and offer many anti-aging benefits. The best peptides tend to stimulate more rapid turnover of skin cells and result in much younger and healthier looking skin. Advantages of some of the most beneficial peptides include:

Increase collagen production
Regulate the breaking down of collagen
Encourage antioxidant enzymes
Improve cellular repair
Even out pigmentation
Offer antimicrobial protection

Examples of Peptides in Skin Care Products

Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 (Matrixyl) – Matrixyl is a lipopeptide, or fatty acid mixed with amino acids. It stimulates the lower layers of the skin to heal themselves. Thus far results have shown Matrixyl to increase skin smoothness by 13%, increase overall collagen synthesis by up to 117% and reduce number of wrinkles by 36%.

Products that include Matrixyl:

Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 (Argireline) – Argireline is a hexapeptide, or chain of 6 amino acids. It relaxes facial muscles that contribute to lines and wrinkles and is often marketed as a Botox alternative. Thus far results have shown that a 10% concentration of Argireline can reduce the depth of wrinkles by up to 30% after about 30 days of use.

Products that include Argireline: