Peptides naturally occur in the skin and are crucial for collagen production. In other words, applying peptides to your skin can help it make collagen, giving you youthful, firm, and better skin. Sounds intriguing, right? Read on to learn more about the benefits of peptides, what else they can do for your skin, and how to use them.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are chains of amino acids and building blocks of proteins in your body. When amino acids combine in various formations, they create a variety of peptides. And when peptides are formed in a certain way, they create specific proteins. If you are wondering why this information is important, read on. Proteins are the most basic building blocks of your skin, organs, and tissues. And collagen is one of the most important proteins in your body. About 75%-80% of your skin is made up of collagen protein. That’s why when your collagen production is optimal, your skin looks beautiful. And this is where peptides can help you – by boosting your collagen production. Let’s explore this in detail.
What Do Peptides Do For Your Skin?
With age, the collagen production declines. As a result, your skin sags and loses its elasticity, and you get wrinkles. Incorporating peptides into your skin care routine can help to a great extent. You can use both topical and oral peptides (which we’ve discussed later). Here’s how peptides help your aging skin:
1. They Have An Anti-Wrinkle Effect On Your Skin
In a double-blind clinical study, researchers studied 20 women between the ages of 40 and 62 years. They were given a formula containing 3% collagen-like peptide and 1% booster molecule. They applied the gel on their eye area for four weeks. The results showed a significant reduction in the surface as well as the depth of wrinkles (1).
2. They Help Reduce Erythema
Erythema or redness of the skin may occur due to a variety of reasons, including infection, inflammation, or increased blood flow in your superficial capillaries. A six- month study on 20 subjects found that both Carnosine (a dipeptide molecule) and N- acetylcarnosine (related to the dipeptide Carnosine) can help reduce erythema when applied to the skin. The researchers also found that these two peptides had antioxidant properties (2).
3. It Improves Skin Firmness And Elasticity
In two separate studies, each examining the anti-wrinkle and anti-sagging effects of Trifluoroacetyl-tripeptide-2, it was found that this peptide improved skin firmness and elasticity and reduced skin sagging (2).
4. They Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects
According to a study, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 has anti-inflammatory effects on your skin. It suggests that this peptide reduces the secretion of IL-6, thus decreasing inflammation after UVB exposure. A blend of palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl oligopeptide also improves the extracellular matrix structure (a network of extracellular macromolecules including glycoproteins, enzymes, and collagen that supports the cells) (2). There are about hundreds of peptides out there. However, only a few are used for skin care. Here’s a breakdown.
Best Peptides For Your Skin
Topical peptides are mainly classified as:
1. Carrier Peptides
These are X-50 Myocept, Copper Peptides, etc. Carrier peptides help in carrying stabilized trace elements like manganese and copper to your skin. These trace elements help in boosting collagen development, improve your skin elasticity, and aid wound healing (2). Copper peptides are commonly used in anti-aging skin care.
2. Neurotransmitter Inhibitor Peptides
These are XEP-30, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-28 Argireline, Syn-Ake, etc. Neurotransmitter inhibitor peptides inhibit your muscle contraction, giving your skin a botox-like effect. If your muscles do not contract, there is no scope for wrinkle formation. However, this peptide only works on the wrinkles formed by the expression lines and not the ones caused by pollution, sun exposure, and other factors (2).
3. Enzyme Inhibitor Peptides
These are Trylagen, Trifluoroacetyl tripeptide-2, Silk fibroin peptides, Soybean peptides, etc. These peptides inhibit all the enzymes that break down collagen in your skin. In this way, your skin ages slowly. Most of these peptides usually prohibit the functions of Matrix Metalloproteinases or MMPs. This is a group of enzymes that break down collagen when it develops rapidly (2).
4. Signal Peptides
These are Palmitoyl Oligopeptide-7, Copper Peptides, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Matrixyl-3000, etc. As the name suggests, these peptides usually send signals to the skin to boost the production of elastin, collagen, and any other protein that the skin might need to stay fresh and young. Now, the question is, how do you get these peptides? Here’s a list of foods you can include in your diet to increase the peptide content in your system.
Natural Sources Of Peptides That You Should Consume For Healthy Skin
1. Milk
Milk is one of the most abundant sources of dietary peptides. The bioactive peptides contained in milk were the first food-derived peptides that were widely studied. Milk is rich in whey protein and casein. After digestion, both these components can be processed into a number of peptides that have antimicrobial and therapeutic benefits (3). Just be careful as dairy consumption can cause inflammation. Choose organic and grass-fed varieties as much as possible.
2. Eggs
These are rich sources of dietary peptides. The peptides IRW and IQW have anti-inflammatory properties and also contain antioxidants.
3. Soybean
Soybean and many other beans contain peptides that are associated with numerous health benefits. A study claims that soybean peptides have antioxidant and anti-fatigue properties. It also claims that soybean peptide can increase Type I collagen in your body (4).
4. Fish And Meat
Fish, especially marine fish, is a rich source of essential peptides and proteins. The peptides in fish can prevent photoaging of the skin. The fish bones and skin are especially rich in collagen. Marine-derived collagen is mostly used in skin care products and is a very effective free radical scavenger (5). Even meat, such as pork, beef, and chicken, is a rich source of bioactive peptides (6). Nutrition is key to get healthy and glowing skin. Oral intake of peptides through food and supplements improves collagen synthesis and skin hydration levels and repairs your skin’s natural barrier (7).
Side Effects Of Peptides
When you start using peptide products, you may notice some side effects and symptoms. These include:
Redness Inflammation Itching Rash
To avoid this, always make sure to do a patch test before using a product. Also, before using any peptide, make sure to find out whether you are allergic to it or not. It is better to consult a dermatologist before using any skin care product. Are peptides better than retinol? You may also consult a doctor before introducing peptides into your skin care routine. According to anecdotal evidence, no. Retinol increases the turnover of skin cells, and its effectiveness is backed by scientific studies (8). When should peptides be used on skin? Apply a peptide-based skin product after an exfoliating toner and before face oils or moisturizers to enhance your skin’s youthful appearance. Peptide-containing serums and moisturizers can be helpful. Can you use vitamin C and peptides together? Yes. Vitamin C, niacinamide, and antioxidants work well with peptides. Which is better: ceramides or peptides? Depends on individual preference. There is a lack of scientific evidence that suggests one product is better than the other. Both ceramides and peptides help boost the skin’s natural barrier and keep it hydrated. Are peptides better than vitamin C? Depends on personal preference. No scientific evidence supports the idea that one product is better than another. Both vitamin C and peptides help your skin look luminous and rejuvenated.
