article highlights There are different peptides that help different skin conditions, from puffiness to fine lines and wrinkles. Leave-on products like serums and moisturisers are a great way to take advantage of peptides’ benefits.

peptides in skincare

Though you might have heard of peptides, you may not know exactly what they are and what they can do for your skin. We have seen a significant increase in the use and advancement of peptides in the skincare industry in recent times. Why? Put simply, peptides can be used by anyone, are able to address an array of skin needs and have been proven to deliver visible results.

how do peptides work with the skin?

Peptides work with the skin, not against it. Peptides are amino acids that make up certain proteins your skin needs – including collagen, which is made of three different polypeptide chains.

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and therefore peptides. The structure and order of the amino acid chain created to make the peptide will then determine the response the peptide has on the skin. Change the order or number of amino acids on the chain and you will change the response in the skin. You can think of peptides as messengers that can communicate with the skin, sending specific signals to improve skin health.

Incorporating peptides in your skin care routine can help with achieving firmer, younger-looking skin to name just one benefit. (And who doesn’t want that, right?) Read on to find out more about the benefits of having peptides in your skincare

 

peptides for different skin concerns

Because peptides offer so many benefits for the skin, they’re a super versatile ingredient to have in your skincare. There are lots of types of peptides which can be used to treat and support a wide range of skin concerns.

Most popular are peptides that reduce fine lines and wrinkles and prevent against premature skin ageing. But there are also peptides that help to improve and build up the skin barrier, and peptides that help to target hyperpigmentation, promoting a more even skin tone. There are even peptides that help reduce puffy eyes. In essence, if you’re looking to treat a specific skin care concern, there is a peptide – and a product – out there for you.

 

what to look for when adding peptides to your skincare

The most effective products that contain peptides are serums or moisturisers. Unlike a product such as a cleanser, peptide rich serums and moisturisers are best because you don’t wash the peptides off your skin. Instead, peptides stay on the skin, allowing them to perform at their optimal levels.

Here are our top peptide picks for different skin benefits:

Reduce puffiness: Awaken Peptide Eye Gel is an eye treatment that contains peptides that help firm, smooth and hydrae the skin around the eyes. This firming, hydrating eye gel stars Tetrapeptides which helps reduce the appearance of puffy eyes. It works alongside Caffeine which is also known to reduce the appearance of puffiness. We recommend using this peptide eye treatment in the morning when our eyes are most prone to puffiness. A size of a grain of rice is enough for both eyes, gently applying the peptide gel around the eyes and avoiding applying directly onto the eye lids.

Skin ageing: If you’re concerned about the effects of premature skin ageing, you should look for products containing peptides as they’re infamous for stimulating and preserving collagen, helping maintain a firm, healthy skin. There are three different products you can incorporate into your skin to help with sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.

Phyto-Nature Firming Serum is an advanced, dual-phase serum that combines highly active botanicals with biomimetic technology, to reduce visible signs of skin ageing and reawaken the nature of younger-looking skin.

Dynamic Skin Recovery SPF 50 is a broad-spectrum moisturiser that helps combat the appearance of skin ageing. Antioxidant White Tea (which is rich in polyphenols) and a unique polypeptide help improve the appearance of photoaged skin.

SkinPerfect Primer SPF 30 contains a combination of Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine and Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyrate — three conditioning peptides that stimulate collagen biosynthesis, helping to reduce wrinkles, impart skin firmness and improve skin tone.

Finally, Super Rich Repair contains Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, which trigger collagen production, helping to increase firmness and restore elasticity.

 

Destress and calm: The antidote to stressed skin, UltraCalming Serum Concentrate , is light, silky hydrating serum that provides relief for burning, itchy, inflamed skin. It contains Acetyl Tetrapeptide-15 which acts like a fire blanket to take the heat out of sensitive skin and keep skin calm for the future. Be sure to give this soothing peptide serum a shake before applying as we have not included any emulsifying ingredients – a minimalist approach is best when treating sensitive skin.

peptides vs retinol

If you’re looking for ingredients that improve skin firmness and prevent premature skin ageing, you may be wondering if you should use Retinol or peptides in your skincare. The good news is that you can use both! Overnight Retinol Repair is a concentrated customisable night-time treatment that accelerates skin renewal and reduces the appearance of skin ageing. It contains microencapsulated 0.5% Retinol, meaning it’s ultra-stable so won’t breakdown in its packaging or in the skin. The microencapsulation technology also allows for a targeted delivery deep into the skin, where it needs to go for best results. If Retinol is formulated with stability in mind, then a high dosage is not needed as the Retinol won’t be wasted. To accompany the microencapsulated Retinol, there’s Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, a potent peptide that works collaboratively with Retinol to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Want to learn more about which skin care products are right for you? Visit your local Dermalogica professional skin therapist for a completely customised, peptide rich skincare regimen.