Everything about Peptides in Skincare

In addition to retinoids, antioxidants and hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, peptides show efficacy in preventing and treating premature skin ageing.

What are Peptides?

Peptides in skincare are short chains of amino acids — the very building blocks that construct proteins like collagen and elastin, which are vital for firm, youthful skin. Unlike full-sized proteins, peptides are small enough to penetrate the skin’s outer barrier, acting as messengers that signal your cells to ramp up repair and renewal processes. This makes them incredibly powerful allies in addressing signs of ageing, such as fine lines and loss of elasticity.

Functions of peptides in skincare 

• Stimulating collagen

• Promoting glycosaminoglycan synthesis

• Stimulating capillary formation and repair

• Enhancing natural antioxidant defence mechanisms.

When collagen is depleted by age and environmental factors, including sunlight, it's not fully replaced. As a result, smooth, young skin slowly becomes thinner and wrinkled over time. As collagen deteriorates, it produces certain peptides. These peptides send a "message" to your skin that it's lost collagen and needs to generate more. When skincare peptides are applied topically, your skin "thinks" that its collagen breaks down product and that your body needs to manufacture new collagen. So you can successfully minimise wrinkles and give your skin a more youthful appearance with the application of skincare peptides that trigger the production of collagen. It's therefore important to use a good peptide wrinkle cream.

Results from peptides will generally not be visible for anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. It can be discouraging to not see changes before that time, but routine use will deliver results. Once you begin to notice changes in your skin, it's important to remain diligent in the use of peptide products. Once you discontinue using the products, the results will eventually fade.

Watch this video to learn more about what peptides are and how they can help you:

 There are many different types of peptides, which have various effects on the cellular function of the skin. Each one instructs the skin to behave in a certain manner. Some may tell it to "relax" and the result is wrinkle reduction, others may stimulate collagen production - which will firm up the skin from the inside.

Commonly used peptides

The most commonly used peptide in skincare is Matrixyl (Palmitoyl Pentapeptide). This is a neuropeptide that reduces fine lines. It works by stimulating the deeper matrix layers of the skin to increase the production and synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid. (It "tells" the skin to make more collagen.) This action also helps the skin to heal wounds faster.

Argireline (Acetyl hexapeptide) has been marketed as a safer, less expensive, and non-invasive alternative to Botox. This anti-ageing peptide works by causing facial muscles to relax, thereby minimising wrinkles. It's often combined with Leuphasyl, which relaxes tiny muscles under the skin. This is particularly helpful for fading wrinkles around the eyes and for forehead wrinkles. Octapeptide is a lengthened version of Argireline. By making the small muscles under your skin longer and reducing muscle tension, octapeptide reduces the appearance of fine lines.

Palmitoyl oligopeptide is similar to Palmitoyl Pentapeptide, as it also stimulates the synthesis of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the deep layers of the skin. It also provides mild UV protection that helps protect the skin from sun damage.

Copper peptide is also called copper gluconate and it's all about the copper, not the peptide. The copper is attached to a peptide so the copper can be delivered to the deeper layers of cells in the skin. Copper helps to accelerate collagen production and also acts as an antioxidant.

Please view our Peptide skincare products available in a range of cleansers/toners, treatment products, moisturisers, eye/lip creams and body products.

Our popular Peptide-based products

Hydropeptide as you can guess from the name, use a lot of peptides in their products.

Epigenetics is the study of how environmental factors influence gene function. Using powerful epigenetic signaling peptides, HydroPeptide’s elegant formulations encourage skin to act in a healthy and youthful way.

Since 2004, HydroPeptide has revolutionized skincare through epigenetic science and peptide technology. Their products work at the cellular level to increase hydration, visibly reduce lines and wrinkles and enhance skin’s natural luminosity. With a multitude of peptides, antioxidants, botanical stem cells, growth factors and hyaluronic acid, their award-winning products and professional treatments offer, customizable results-driven regimens for all skin types, wrapped up in a luxurious experience.

Popular Hydropetide products:

- HydroPeptide Power Serum

A collagen-boosting treatment serum that transforms your skin. Blends 6 different peptides to fight the visible signs of aging. Genetic growth factors optimize cell renewal to increase firmness and elasticity as vitamin A diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. 

- HydroPeptide Eye Authority

A peptide-rich, anti-aging eye cream. This 4-dimensional eye cream draws on the power of peptides, pearls and antioxidants to combat all the visible signs of aging.

- HydroPeptide Power Lift Moisturizer

A rich face cream that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  A blend of four peptides and 21 plant-based hydrators diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.