PEPTIDES: Ingredient of the week + Skin Care Benefits and recommended products

If you're already at a phase in your life where you find yourself frequenting the anti-aging portion of the skin care aisle in department stores and supermarkets, chances are, you're already witnessing signs of aging on your skin and you definitely want to act on it and preserve whatever collagen is left.

In your inspired search for the next best anti-aging product, you've probably come across this ingredient: PEPTIDES.

In today's INGREDIENT OF THE WEEK, let's get to know one of the most potent anti-aging ingredients, also known as the 'messengers of the skin'.

What is a Peptide? A peptide is an amino acid and when peptides join together, they become proteins; a peptide is the basis of protein as cell is the basis of the human anatomy.

There are three kinds of peptides that are commonly used in skin care:

1. CARRIER PEPTIDES- peptides that ensure delivery of trace elements such as copper and manganese to the skin, resulting in boost in collagen production.

2. NEUROTRANSMITTER PEPTIDES- peptides that instruct muscles to contract to smooth a wrinkly area.

3. INHIBITOR PEPTIDES- peptides that hinder enzymes that cause collagen breakdown. 

The popular peptides used in skin care are Oligopeptide, Syn-Ake, Tripeptide, and Copper peptides to name a few.

How do we obtain peptides? Peptides are naturally- occurring in the body, but they decrease overtime. Supplements, food, and skin care are a great source. Peptide- rich foods are milk, soybean, fish, meat, and eggs.

There are hundreds of kinds of peptide and since we're talking about skin care, let's talk about one of the famous proteins, Collagen.

PEPTIDE: BENEFITS

How peptides work is they act as neurotransmitters for the cells to instruct the body to produce more collagen; that's why they're also called as messengers of the skin. When we hit 24, collagen production of the body slows down; research has shown that the body produces only 1% of collagen when we get to this age and every year, as we age, collagen production slows down significantly and whatever collagen left within the skin breaks down and becomes fragmented; collagen is responsible for giving us that smooth, even, firm- looking skin and when we lose it, wrinkles form, skin begins to sag and look uneven, which signals the early stages of skin aging.

Studies have shown that peptides are effective in boosting collagen production within the skin when applied topically, but according to this article, it's funny how it works: when you apply a peptide- rich product on say, your face, the body detects that there might be an injury on that area, therefore it automatically boosts collagen production and diverts it to that area to help it 'heal'.

Aside from being a messenger, the benefits of peptides are as diverse as its variations, helping the body function properly and ensuring that vital minerals, vitamins, and processes are carried into place every single day. Suffice to say, peptides are very important to our body!

PEPTIDE: SIDE EFFECTS

Skin- friendly peptides are generally mild and safe, but in very sensitive skin types, it can trigger redness, itch, and irritation. If you have sensitive skin, best to conduct a patch test first before complete usage.

PEPTIDE: USES

- as an injectable

- as supplement

- as skin care ingredient

Now here are some of the peptide- rich skin care that can help delay line formation, sagging, dullness, and brittleness of the skin:

1. OLAY REGENERIST MICRO-SCULTPING CREAM

- Olay's famous cream contains collagen peptides; the formula is specifically designed to induce collagen production within the skin.

2. PHILOSOPHY THE MICRODELIVERY PEEL

- A renewing skin peel duo that gently resurfaces skin, revealing a healthy, plump, glowing look.

3. CHARLOTTE TILBURY MAGIC CREAM

- A cocktail of skin- loving natural extracts, oils, and peptide to give skin a soft, smoother, and instantly refined appearance; great to use with makeup use as well.

4. VITAPACK FACIAL MASK

- A sheet mask that's packed with peptides to deliver instantly refreshed, young- looking skin.

Photo credit: theordinary.com

5. THE ORDINARY BUFFET 

- One of The Ordinary's famous serum, Buffet some of the well- known and best peptides in skin care to create a powerful anti-aging serum that smooths the skin, minimizes fine lines, improves texture and clarity, firms the skin, and wards off wrinkles.

Hope you learned something new today!