Youthful skin, collagen, antioxidants, fine lines, dehydration, wrinkles… If you’re concerned about any of these, then you must incorporate Peptides in your skin care routine.
How can we use them to fully benefit from them especially in summer? We sat down with Dr. Costi to get his professional advice on this powerful anti-aging ingredient.
Peptides are chains of amino acids that form the proteins in our skin: elastin, keratin and collagen. And protein is what allows our skin to be firm, to have a strong structure and to be protected. Therefore Peptides, the smallest unit of a protein, are the basis of good skin.
“This is how they work” explains Dr. Costi “by being the short-chain amino acids, therefore small particles, they can penetrate our skin when they applied on the epidermis”. Whereas if you applied collagen, a full protein cell, it will not be absorbed through the top layer of skin. That’s why so many people choose to eat collagen-rich bone broth or take collagen supplements.
Once absorbed, the small amino acid chains communicate with our skin cells to transmit many kinds of signals, depending on how they are arranged- so depending on the formulation that you buy.
Our skin barrier is our body’s line of defense against bacteria, ultraviolet rays, pollution, and other toxins. It can be damaged from over-exfoliation, exposure to cigarette smoke and other pollution, or even poor sleep. Peptides help build a stronger barrier.
As we age, collagen production decreases causing dehydration, loss of skin elasticity and firmness, discoloration, and an overall dull complexion. Therefore, incorporating peptides into our skincare routine is a great preventative measure, helping to diminish the appearance of fine lines and lock in hydration.
Peptides can help ease inflammation, repair damaged skin, and help clear breakouts. Some peptides are antimicrobial, meaning they can kill bacteria that cause acne.
The good news is, no matter your price range, there are plenty of options on the market: from moisturizers, to serums, to masks.
You’ll typically find peptides in leave-on products like moisturizers to fully get their benefits, versus cleansers for example which will be rinsed off.
Peptides will work well with other ingredients like Vitamin C, Niacinamide and hyaluronic acids. But don’t use them with AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) because it will make the peptide work less efficiently.
Other words for peptides that you’ll find in the ingredients lists: “dipeptide,” “tripeptide,” “hexapeptide” or “palmitoyl.”
If you’re not sure which Peptide formula is best for you, you can always discuss it with Dr. Costi who would be happy to advise a treatment for your skin. And don’t forget, to fully reap the benefits of your Peptide-infused products, you must take good care of your skin by wearing sunscreen!
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