Anti-Aging Peptides

Peptides have long been hailed for their various properties, but what exactly are they, and how can they treat aging skin? By definition a peptide is a chain of amino acids, and peptides are the foundation for protein. Proteins in our skin include collagen which provides bounce, elastin which provides flexibility and keratin which provides strength. We ingest peptides internally via our diet, which is why it's important to have a variety of foods that contain various amino acids to support our body's proteins. However, there is a vast amount of peptides with different properties to target various skin conditions that we can apply topically.

Aging skin is typically characterized by many conditions - dehydration, UV induced pigmentation, and loss of volume due to collagen and elastin breakdown. And while peptides help build protein, there are other functions they can partake in. There are four categories: Neurotransmitter peptides that work to prevent muscle contraction (similar to Botox), signal peptides that stimulate the production of various cellular processes, carrier peptides that deliver ingredients into the skin, and enzyme-inhibiting peptides which prevent processes such as collagen & elastin degradation from occurring. These categories have a plethora of peptides within them that can help prevent or correct aging skin.

Common neurotransmitting peptides include acetyl hexapeptide-8, acetyl hexapeptide-30 and acetyl octapeptide-3 (argireline, inyline and snap 8), and these all work to prevent facial muscles from contracting and leading to expression lines around the eyes and mouth. These ingredients are commonly found in lip and eye serums and creams. Some signal peptides include palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl oligopeptide & palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-38 which all induce collagen and elastin production. Another common signal peptide is acetyl-hexapeptide-37 which allows skin to retain moisture. And there are our enzyme-inhibiting peptides such as diaminopropionoyl tripeptide-38 which will prevent UV damage, and nonapeptide-1 & oligopeptide-68 to prevent the formation of hyperpigmentation patches. All of these peptides may be found in various types of products like serums and moisturizers and will make a drastic difference in the appearance of aging skin. The products that will make the biggest difference will have a combination of at least two of these peptides.