What are Peptides?
From chemical peels to fruit masks to lotions and moisturizers, manufacturers are constantly try to push their products as the “Fountain of Youth” or the “miracle cream” that will supposedly reduce the appearance of wrinkles and tighten your aging skin. As nice as it would be to have the perfect formula for staying young and beautiful, very few products contain the necessary ingredients your skin needs to increase collagen levels and improve your overall complexion.
However, before you throw in the towel and opt for expensive cosmetic surgery, you might want to take a closer look at your wrinkle cream ingredient label. Hidden beneath all that scientific jargon, you might be able to find the secret to younger, healthier skin.
If your wrinkle cream contains peptides, then you might be in luck. Although the ingredient might not look like much to you now, peptides can certainly pack a punch when it comes to improving your skin’s tone and texture. Keep reading to find out more about these revolutionary anti-aging powerhouses.
What are they?
We like to keep it simple, so we’re going to skip the science definitions and get straight to the issue. Peptides are essentially chemical bonds that are formed by amino acids. Your body naturally produces peptides throughout your life, but wrinkle creams peptides are manufactured synthetically.
How do they work?
In order to understand how peptides work, you must first understand a little more about collagen. Collagen is another naturally produced substance in the body that keeps skin smooth and elastic, and it is essential for the growth and repair of healthy skin.
Unfortunately, as we age, collagen production slows, and your skin’s ability to heal itself is greatly diminished. This is where peptides come in. Peptide bonds create a link between the inner layer of the skin and the outer layer (the dermis and the epidermis), sending signals to the skin that collagen levels should increase and that new skin tissue should be produced.
Why do we need so many?
Peptide complexes are unique and each functions in a slightly different way. Some peptides increase collagen production, while others relax facial muscles, and still, others improve overall skin tone and texture. The more peptides a wrinkle cream uses, the more likely it is to reverse signs of age on your skin.
Does your wrinkle cream contain peptides?
Creating an effective wrinkle cream is a science, and because of this fact, many ingredient labels seem to include an ever growing list of seemingly complex and scientific ingredients. If your wrinkle cream doesn’t promote peptides as its main ingredient, then spotting peptides hidden among the moisturizers and exfoliates may be a little difficult.
However, there is an easy way to spot these little anti-aging ingredients – simply look for the word “peptide” hidden in longer phrases. For example: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 and Palmitoyl TetraPeptide-7.
What else should I know?
Peptides are amazing little tools for reversing signs of aging and reducing the appearance and severity of wrinkles. However, they’re difficult to use and some formulas don’t utilize their full potential.
Because peptides are made of unstable amino acid chains, they might break down in the cream while sitting on the shelf, becoming useless. Additionally, peptides need to be in a cream that penetrates the skin, otherwise the peptides will simply sit on the surface rather than stimulating the production of collagen. If the cream is too thick, the peptides will simply be washed away alongside the rest of the ingredients.
Final thoughts
Despite their small limitations, peptides are some of the most effective ingredients for fighting signs of old age. Although they are not the miracle solution we’ve all been waiting for, they’re definitely an effective and affordable alternative to cosmetic surgeries and don’t result in any negative side-effects.
The next time you’re on the lookout for a new wrinkle cream, be sure to keep an eye out for peptides.
