the Building Blocks of Youthful Skin
Merriam-Webster defines peptides as “any of various amides that are derived from two or more
amino acids by combination of the amino group of one acid with the carboxyl group of another
and are usually obtained by partial hydrolysis of proteins.”
Since this isn’t chemistry class. We decided to break it down for you.
What are peptides?
Collagen fibers are made up of peptides, which are building blocks for the proteins
associated with skin strengthening and smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. (Namely,
collagen, elastin and keratin). In the human body, peptides are found in every cell and perform
a wide range of vital functions. Those functions are dependent on the various types of amino
acids involved in the chain (and their sequence) as well as the specific shape of the peptide
itself.
To put it simply – peptides are the building blocks for cellular regeneration.
And they can do A LOT.
SO - what exactly can peptides do?
Peptides are mostly responsible for the strength of connective tissue and are vital to the
growth of healthy skin, muscle and hair in the human body. Collagen peptides, specifically, are
responsible for skin’s texture, strength and suppleness. As we age, collagen production slows
and our skin becomes less intact, which can lead to a loss of firmness, the appearance of
wrinkles, a change in texture and less ‘bounce’.
Peptides work by helping skin to generate the production of new collagen, most notably
palmitoyl pentapeptide (“penta” meaning 5 amino acid chain), which is commonly known as
Matrixl, and the hexapeptide (6 amino acid chain) called Argirilene. Again, you may be thinking
“how did I end up back in high school chemistry class”, but if your fine lines are reduced and
your skin looks as youthful as it did decades ago, it will all be worth it. Just don’t ask for a restroom pass yet because we’ve got more learning to do…
RELATED: Slow Aging to a Snail’s Pace; The Benefits of Snail Growth Factor
How to use peptides in your routine:
We like to think of peptides as a powerful anti-aging booster. While they shouldn’t be
the star ingredient of any formulation, peptides can serve to dramatically boost the effects of
anti-aging creams, serums and elixirs over time. With consistent usage, some peptides
(specifically octapeptides) are even beneficial to hair growth.
Women sometimes give up on their skincare way too soon, often in the first few days or
even weeks before the products have time to work. It takes at least two months to make new
collagen, so it’s critical to stick with your regimen to see real results. The above results were
achieved using The A Method’s 24K Eyelash & Eyebrow Regrowth Serum over the course of
four weeks with consistent twice daily use.
Think of peptides like little messengers that call for collagen. Once your body gets used to
hearing that call consistently it will begin to adapt its functions to provide collagen when it
“thinks” you’re going to need it next.
Where to find peptides naturally in your diet:
That being said, it’s also incredibly important to find ways to naturally introduce peptides into
your diet as you age. Peptides are most naturally abundant in foods high in protein, and can be
crucially beneficial when targeting the signs of aging in conjunction with your skin routine.
Foods naturally high in protein (and thus peptides):
- – eggs
- – milk
- – beans and lentils
- – soy
- – oats
- – flaxseed
- – fish and shellfish
The process of combining amino acids to create collagen also requires vitamin C, zinc and
copper – all of which can be found in citrus fruits, red and green peppers, broccoli and most
greens
Should you use products with peptides?
It depends entirely on your goals! Skincare products with peptides can be extremely beneficial
to the production of collagen and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. We find peptides
most useful in combination with retinol to elicit more rapid anti-aging results, but peptides can
be useful for a variety of skin concerns:
- – Photo damage
- – Acne
- – Skin elasticity
- – Firmness
- – Hair growth
- – Inflammation
Questions and Answers!
A: Not quite! Peptides are the building blocks of collagen, and can be found within proteins as
chains of amino acids. Similar in structure to proteins, only smaller — peptides are technically
linked chains of amino acids.
A: Peptides are unlikely to cause any unwanted reactions such as skin dryness or inflammation
even if used frequently. We like to think of peptides like vitamins – your body only takes what is
needed.
A: There is no documented evidence stating that peptides aren’t safe during pregnancy.
A: Combining peptides with other active ingredients may enhance the peptide’s function. Aging
is caused by many different factors so it’s common to combine peptides with other actives like
retinol to accelerate and improve the benefits of the product.
A: Some of the lesser known benefits of peptides include strengthening the skin barrier,
improving hydration and helping to repair damaged skin, which actually makes them a viable
ingredient for acne defense.
A: Yes. As with retinol, peptides in combination with other actives, (like Vitamin C) will help to
enhance the function of the active ingredient itself. Vitamin C, for instance, aids in collagen
production by boosting tissue growth and repair. When combined with peptides, this action is
enhanced and accelerated to elicit results more rapidly.
A: Yes! With consistent use multiple times a day, applying a peptide formula to the base of hair
follicles will help restore density and cell growth in those areas. The A Method’s 24K Gold
Eyelash & Eyebrow Growth Accelerator Serum is formulated with peptides for just this purpose.
