Peptides continue to be a leading skincare ingredient this year, adored for their versatility and skin benefits. As a key player in skincare innovation, peptides have gained attention for being a regenerative ingredient for targeted treatments to pair with. Plus, it has only just begun advancing in innovations with new biotech materials.
What are peptides in skincare?
These tiny proteins play a crucial role in maintaining skin health. Peptides are string of amino acids that are added to skincare products to boost their effectiveness, signaling to the skin to boost collagen and repair the barrier. With new advanced complexes, peptides are targeting specific skin issues like firming and lifting, and reducing redness while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles.
How peptides work to improve skin health
There are new peptides that are naturally derived that turn skin on to perform its own skincare. The peptide interacts with the skin to support the natural production of claudin, which are a family of proteins along with occludin. These are the most important components (foundation) of the tight junctions, which is a sign of a healthy skin barrier.
Some new peptides are water soluble, making them effective in so many formulations where other barrier ingredients, like ceramides, cannot go. Water-soluble peptides are effective in rinse-off formulations such as face, body and hand washes by staying on the skin to do their work and not rinsing off – making them a great barrier ingredient.
Benefits of adding peptides to your skincare routine
Incorporating peptides in your skincare routine offers numerous benefits. Peptides help to:
- Give your body the chance to create new proteins, specifically boosting elastin and collagen production to help your skin stay stronger and more flexible.
- Overcome inflammation and oxidative stress, which can damage your skin and lead to signs of aging – wrinkles and fine lines, discoloration, thinning or crepey skin, dryness, and dullness.
- Promote skin hydration and moisturization when paired with hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Also pairs well with products containing antioxidants, vitamin c, niacinamide and retinols.
Take care to avoid combining salicylic acid and peptides, this combination may destabilize the peptides, diminishing the effectives of both ingredients or the combo of glycolic acid and peptides. The acidic environment created by the glycolic acid may compromise the peptide structures, reducing their benefits. Overall, there are many options and benefits to incorporating peptides into skin, body, and hair care products for stronger, healthier, and more youthful-looking skin.
