What Are Peptides in Skincare?

Peptides have gone viral in recent years, with hashtags, users, and products singing their praises. But what are peptides in skincare? What do they do for your skin? Also, what skincare products include them? Keep reading as we dive into peptides in skincare and everything you need to know about them.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are naturally occurring in our skin. What makes peptides so important? They help the resilience and structure of our skin—basically skin’s health and appearance. There are several different types of peptides, with each accomplishing different tasks.

What Are Peptides In Skincare?

Peptide-infused skincare is everywhere, and for good reason. Unlike its friend collagen (which has a large molecule), peptides can absorb into the skin easily when applied topically. Beyond the benefit of their small size being easily penetrable, the other advantage is that peptides can directly communicate with our skin’s cells, telling them to accomplish a task. As mentioned before, there are numerous different types of peptides, so the task could be producing more collagen or elastin, or they could even temporarily block muscle contractions (like Botox in a bottle). You’ll likely see them in a handful of formulas, but look for leave-on products, like serums, moisturizers, and masks (versus cleansers or toners). Bottom line, impressively, peptides in skincare actually work.

What Are the Benefits of Peptides In Skincare? 

We know what peptides are but what can they do for our skin specifically? Here are a handful of proven benefits.

Increases Collagen and Elastin Production 

At age 20, our skin begins to produce less and less collagen with each progressing year, which can lead to a loss of firmness, dehydration, fine lines, and dullness as we age. Peptides can boost collagen and elastin production, helping to give a more healthy-looking complexion. It also can increase the hydration of the skin, too. (A much-appreciated bonus.)

Addresses the Appearance of Fine Lines and Wrinkles 

Peptide’s ability to stimulate collagen and elastin can give skin a more firm, plump, and healthy-looking visage. Additionally, nerve-inhibiting peptides can temporarily prevent muscle movement and soften fine lines. One four-week study found that skincare products containing peptides were able to decrease wrinkles by 14.07 percent and increase elasticity by 8.79 percent.

Heals and Calms

Peptides that contain antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties can address irritation on the skin, helping to soothe, calm, and potentially even heal inflammation (addressing the health of skin from the inside out).

Strengthens Skin Barrier 

Speaking of antimicrobial peptides, they’re also directly linked to skin barrier health. It’s said these peptides contribute immensely to repairing barrier function, helping to fight free radicals and pathogens, as well as balance the overall health and resilience of the skin.

Peptide Skincare Products

The Silk Serum

Want all the benefits of retinol without any of the irritation, stress, or complication? Try Tatcha’s Silk Serum. The peptide-boosted formula delivers wrinkle-smoothing powers without complicated skin cycling or ramp-up time—instead, use The Silk Serum up to two times daily starting on day one. The formula includes a clever mix of botanical extracts, perfected by the R&D team at the Tatcha Institute in Tokyo. They found the most impressive results with a highly effective duo of plant-based retinol alternatives: upcycled cranberry extract and sea fennel, which act on the same factors as retinol to support natural skin turnover and give the look of collagen-rich skin. The upcycled cranberry extract goes through a high-tech process of cold-press and eco-extraction to ensure their highest potency, helping retain beneficial peptides, amino acids, and proline, a key component of collagen.This formula also contains biomimetic tetrapeptide, which mimics peptides in the skin to visibly firm while reducing the look of lines and wrinkles.

Peptides are multi-beneficial, from increasing skin’s hydration and improving the skin barrier to reducing the appearance of wrinkles and dullness. No matter your skin type or focus, consider adopting a peptide-boosted skincare product into your daily skincare routine.