Peptides for the skin? Do you need them?
Sometimes, there are skincare ingredients like peptides for the skin that spark interest. But they seem a little mysterious or too good to be true. Can they do all they say?
They sound like something you might need, and the beauty consultant thinks you did, too. But you’re not convinced. You want to trust them, but they struggle to explain what they do in a way you understand. But even so, you ponder. It’s a well-known brand with a good reputation. So, why not? Right?
With so many ingredients popping up every second minute, you’d be wise to consider why you need them before spending money.
You’ve never heard of peptides for the skin?
If you’re new to the power of peptides for your skin, then it might be time to read on.
The right peptides can take your skincare routine beyond the basics, or if you’re already on a fairly comprehensive beauty regimen, then peptides up the ante.
But what are you getting for your money?
It’s fair to wonder. What are peptides for the skin? And why should you use them? Are they going to do anything? Should you repurchase another bottle of those peptide watcha-ma-call-its?
Let’s start with a little science.
Peptides are essential for the proper function of every cell in your body, including your skin cells. A peptide is a short chain of amino acids, unlike a protein, which is a long-chain amino acid. These peptides comprise amino acids, which become mini-proteins, the building blocks for larger proteins. Just as protein is vital for a healthy body, it’s well established, and we also need peptides for the skin.
When specific amino acids are combined, they form particular peptides, of which there can be many variations.
Hopefully, your skincare professional will recommend a peptide designed to solve your specific skin dilemma when it comes to your skin.
Still a little confused?
Okay then, let’s put it another way. Your collagen gives your skin its strength, and when in decline, your skin will begin to sag, wrinkles will form, and the texture of your skin becomes uneven. Collagen is a protein made up of long-chain amino acids and requires peptides to build and support it.
The proteins formed by peptides keep your skin intact. In addition, peptides reduce the degradation of collagen caused by a lifetime of exposure to the sun and the environment.
With so many ingredients popping up every second minute, you’d be wise to consider, before you spending your money, why you need peptides for your skin at all? What are they going to do for you?
Skin peptides can be categorised by activity.
Communicators.
Peptides can send messages between cells to orchestrate positive activities such as collagen and elastin formation. Great if you want to reduce visible signs of ageing.
Gatekeepers.
A peptide can inhibit destructive enzymes, which, if left unchecked, destroy collagen and elastin. Useful if you want to prevent premature ageing.
Neurotransmitters.
Also known as neuropeptides that are active on nerves. For example, peptides inhibit the release of chemicals from nerves to stimulate muscle fibres. These have a botulinum-like effect of relaxing muscle tone.
But let’s be honest. They won’t replace a relaxing muscle injection.
However, if used correctly and consistently, neuropeptides will relax the underlying muscle and soften the look of your frown lines. Or, extend the time between visits to your cosmetic doctor (if that’s what you’re into).
Mover and Shakers.
These are carrier peptides that convey essential minerals like copper into the skin. Copper is vital for the health and strength of the skin, which is a good thing as long as you find a quality formula.
Disrupters.
Peptides can minimise discolouration by inhibiting melanin production, which can lead to blotchy pigmentation. The visible signs of pigmentation are diminished when combined with other active ingredients, such as Niacinamide (vitamin B3) and Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C).
Free radical scavengers.
Essential peptides disable the damaging effect of too many free radicals caused by unpaired oxygen molecules, causing chaos and dysfunction in the skin.
So, which peptides are best for the skin?
When looking for a peptide, it helps if you know what you want to change or improve your skin. And, if you find the right formula, your skin will be all the better for it.
You could just start here with Matrxyl 3000!! The queen of peptides. It’s a combination of two peptides.
Matrixyl 3000 is the trademarked name given by this peptide formula by Sederma, which comprises Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl-Oligopeptide.
Sederma has claimed that Matrxyl 3000 is as good as topically applied Vitamin C.
Better than topically applied vitamin C?
Now, let me say this. I’m a big, huge fan of vitamin C topically applied to the skin. So, if the clinical trials stack up, then the two peptides found in Matrxyl 3000 could outperform the naturally occurring version of vitamin C known as L-Ascorbic Acid. So, for me, that’s a winner!!
But hold on a minute.
It’s all good to make big claims and if there’s evidence to support the claim. Great!! Even so, I’m going to hedge my bets. I’ll always combine my peptides with a nice dose of topically applied vitamin C.
You’ll find many good skincare brands that feel the same way and combine vitamin C with peptides.
Combining these peptides with a well-formulated and stable vitamin C, such as Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, helps protect the skin’s barrier function, which is crucial for maintaining the skin’s structural integrity, firmness, and flexibility.
Peptides versus Vitamin A?
Another significant and bold statement is the comparison to topical Vitamin A. Until now, Vitamin A is the only molecule proven to give broad-scale skin rejuvenation, including DNA repair.
Despite all this, is it worth taking heed and introducing peptides into your routine?
Yes, even though Matryxl 3000 may provide similar results to vitamin A, there’s no evidence to suggest these peptides can repair the cell’s DNA. Nor can they bring about therapeutic changes to the skin at a cellular level.
Matryxl 3000 is a great ingredient but not quite a match for the stellar credentials of Retinoic Acid (vitamin A) and its derivatives.
Even so, clinical trials demonstrate the potential synergy between vitamin A and Matrixyl 3000.
So, if you aim to reduce the visible signs of ageing and future-proof your skin, combining Matrixyl 3000 with vitamins A & C will give you an excellent anti-ageing regimen.
Peptides for anti-ageing.
Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4). It will stimulate collagen synthesis and elastin. It’s comparable to retinol without the irritation (although I wouldn’t be without the all-important vitamin A).
Matrixyl 3000 (Palmitoyl Oligopeptide (Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 or Palmitoyl Tridpeptide 1), and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7). This combination of peptides repairs damaged tissues and supports collagen and elastin synthesis. This combination is now more popular in formulations than its predecessor, Matrxyl.
Trylagen (Tripeptide-1&10). Tripeptide-1 is a communicating peptide known to work with copper in the skin. It will repair skin tissue that has begun to deteriorate due to age and sun exposure, helping to rebuild the skin. The skin will look and feel smoother and firmer, and Tripeptide 10 inhibits the mallard reaction and reduces the effects of Advanced Glycation End Products or AGEs.
Matrixyl Synthe 6 (Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38). Smoothes out wrinkles by stimulating skin matrix components and dermal-epidermal junction, which consists of collagen I, II, IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, and laminin 5.
The Neuro-peptides.
Argireline (Acetyl Hexapeptide-8). A peptide alternative to muscle relaxing cosmetic injections prevents fine lines and wrinkles formation.
Synake (Dipeptide diaminobutyroyl benzyl amide diacetate). A synthetic neuropeptide can mimic the effects of Walgerin 1(a peptide found in snake venom), which acts as a muscle relaxant.
Peptides to encourage hydration.
Diffuporine (Acetyl Hexapeptide-37). Boosts Aquaporin-3 to promote inner hydration mechanism and the exchange of water from the basal layer of the epidermis and to the stratum corneum, improving barrier function, collagen I synthesis and cellular proliferation.
Antioxidant and environment protection.
Thermostressine (Acetyl Tetrapeptide-22) – Helps with cellular stress and increases HSP70 levels to prevent further environmental damage.
B-White (Oligopeptide-68). Reduces MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), decreasing pigmentation pathways by decreasing tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis and reducing overall skin pigmentation.
When combining peptides with other essential nutrients, Environ is a great choice. Here are three products to give you a powerhouse of peptides.
Environ Tri-Peptide Complex – Avance Elixir
A formula designed to give you a triple complex of peptides to support collagen synthesis. This lightweight serum consists of Matrixyl 3000 and two other collagen-building peptides known as Matrixyl Synthe 6 and Trylagen.
A peptide formula supported by three botanical root extracts. Helping the skin’s delicate barrier function assists in retaining moisture and down-regulates pigment in the skin.
Environ Youth EssentiA Vita-Peptide Eye Gel.
A specialised peptide treatment for your eyes. A lightweight formula consisting of a proprietary blend of peptides and vitamins A, C and E for skin nutrition.
Matrixyl 3000 will assist in boosting collagen production, while the neuropeptides, Argireline and Synake provide gentle relaxation to the muscles responsible for expression and eventually little crinkles around your eyes.
Environ’s Vita-Peptide Eye Gel will support the delicate skin around the eye area. Consistent use can provide soothing relief, giving you a slightly more relaxed appearance and supporting the delicate skin around the eyes.
Environ Youth+ Peptide Enriched Frown Serum.
Environ Frown Serum combines the neuropeptides Argireline and Synake as an alternative to muscle relaxing injections.
You will achieve better results and enhance product penetration using micro-needling for home use. You create tiny channels in the skin to efficiently penetrate the serum, enabling the neuropeptides to relax the muscle and soften your frown.
If you’d rather not jab your frown into submission, this product may be a more natural alternative.
You can find Environ here.
See you next time,
