A Beginner's Guide to Peptides in Skincare
You may have heard of the term peptides and that they can benefit your skin, but what are peptides and how do they work? Let’s take a look at peptides in skincare, and how they may help your skin to appear firmer and younger-looking.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short-chain amino acids that play an important role in many bodily functions. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and when two or more amino acids join together, they form a peptide (1).
There are different types of peptides, each of which plays an individual role in your body. They can help with a range of functions, including repairing wounds, building muscle, reducing joint pain, hydrating skin, and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles (1-3).
Peptides are present in many foods. They can also be taken in supplements and applied to your skin as an ingredient in creams, lotions, and serums.
What role do peptides play in skincare?
Peptides are found naturally in your skin and can also be manufactured and applied topically to the skin via skincare products.
Peptides form many proteins in your body, such as collagen and elastin, which help to keep your skin healthy looking, bright, hydrated, and more youthful looking (2,4). Peptides, including those that form the protein keratin, can also help with skin brightening, hair shine, and improved skin texture (2), and some peptides have antimicrobial benefits (1).
Peptides and proteins in our skin are depleted over time, and therefore we lose the associated benefits to our skin. Unfortunately, proteins are too large to be effectively absorbed through your skin. However, peptides are smaller and more easily absorbed, which is why they're added to skincare products, to help replenish these lost peptides and proteins (4,5).
If you’re unsure whether your skincare products contain any peptides, then check out the ingredient list. You should look out for anything with "peptide" in the name. This can include dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide, hexapeptide, and oligopeptide. They can also be listed as palmitoyl or carnosine.
Two benefits of peptides in skincare
Peptides can benefit the skin in several ways, as follows:
Improving skin barrier function
Antimicrobial peptides, keratin peptides, and collagen peptides can help improve your skin’s hydration. This is important as lipids help to improve your skin barrier function, which is crucial for healthy-looking skin.
A reduced skin barrier can also lead to dry skin (6), so products with peptides may help to smooth and hydrate your dry skin. Try Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Eye Serum, which contains palmitoyl tripeptide-5 and can be used on the delicate skin under your eyes.
Reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Collagen peptides benefit aging skin in many ways. Collagen peptides can help to improve the elasticity in your skin (2,5). This helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Peptides have also been found to improve your skin’s hydration (5).
Top tips for using peptides in your skincare routine
If you’re looking to introduce peptides into your skincare routine, then serums and creams are a great place to start. These have prolonged contact with the skin, allowing for longer absorption.
Peptides work well with other skincare products. Combine them with products that include hydrating and soothing ingredients like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. Try Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightening C-Serum. This serum helps to boost skin radiance, improve hydration, and illuminate your complexion.
The bottom line
Peptides are important building blocks of proteins and have many functions in your body. With various studies highlighting the benefits of peptides for your skin, why wouldn’t you add them to your skincare routine? Don’t forget to use peptides with other hydrating and soothing ingredients to help plump, hydrate, and smooth your skin.
References
1. Forbes J, Krishnamurthy K. Biochemistry, Peptide. In: StatPearls,NCBI bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562260/ Updated August 29, 2022. Accessed December 13, 2022.
2. Gorouhi F, Maibach HI. Role of topical peptides in preventing or treating aged skin. Int J Cosmet Sci, 2009;31(5):327-345. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2494.2009.00490.x
3. Oertzen-Hagemann V, Kirmse M, Eggers B, et al. Effects of 12 Weeks of Hypertrophy Resistance Exercise Training Combined with Collagen Peptide Supplementation on the Skeletal Muscle Proteome in Recreationally Active Men. Nutrients. 2019;14;11(5):1072. doi: 10.3390/nu11051072.
4. Aguirre-Cruz G, León-López A, Cruz-Gómez V, et al. Collagen Hydrolysates for Skin Protection: Oral Administration and Topical Formulation. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;22;9(2):181. doi:10.3390/antiox9020181.
5. Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the lifestages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plast Aesthet Res. 2021;8:2. doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153.
6. Nguyen HLT, Trujillo-Paez JV, Umehara Y, et al. Role of Antimicrobial Peptides in Skin Barrier Repair in Individuals with Atopic Dermatitis. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;14;21(20):7607. doi:10.3390/ijms21207607.
