There’s no shortage of skin care ingredients to know and try.
Peptides also fall under the expert-approved category yet don’t always get the spotlight they so rightfully deserve.
Once you dig into what they do, that’ll make perfect sense.
Here, our guide to peptides in topical skin care.
What are peptides?
When used topically, they act as messengers for the skin, says board-certified dermatologistHadley King, M.D.
“Neuropeptides act as chemical messengers.
They can act by modulating the release of neurotransmitters,” she says.
Types of peptides.
Each is unique in its efficacy and function.
So treating peptides as a monolith is a bit misleading for the consumer.
To understand the nuances of peptide research, it’s crucial that you get technical.
Once you see the benefits, this will make sense.
Additionally, the exact benefit you’ll get from a peptide product depends on the types used.
However, as King notes, the research on these peptides in topical formulations is still relatively new.
Generally, these are well tolerated by most individuals.
(After all, your body makes its own peptides.)
“Test it out on your outer cheek or forearm for a few weeks before applying it broadly.”
Best peptide products.
(It’s actually astrain of bacteria that populates our skin in our youth7but declines as we age.
Additionally, the formula contains antioxidants likecoenzyme Q10and a fruit complex.
Seriously, applying this silky number isahhh-inducing.
But it also contains peptides from a seaweed extract.
These all work together to plump and smooth skin.
Of course there are the peptides, which can support the proteins in your epidermis.
Let’s zero in on those signal peptides, the stars of the show.
But it’s often hard on the skin barrier and can lead to irritation.
The soothing peptides can help buffer thatwhile also feeding the skin amino acids.
Truly, what’s not to love about this pretty little thing.
10 + 10 More-Sturizer,iNNBEAUTY PROJECT ($34)
What to use peptides with.
Peptides play nice with other ingredients and tend to be pretty stable.
For that reason, they’re generally OK to pair with other actives, such as antioxidants.
For example, you may try anantioxidant serumtopped with your peptide lotion.
(See some of the products above!)
Collagen peptide supplements.
Peptides are also famously found in beauty supplements in the form of collagen peptides.
In ingestible form, they work to support the skin and body from the inside out.
(And in case you’re curious, yes there’sloads of evidence collagen supplementation works.)
