Peptides serve as an essential tool for maintaining the skin's underlying structure and promoting various anti-aging benefits. These small yet potent molecules are a popular ingredient in skincare products that promise to rejuvenate, repair, and hydrate the skin.

In this post, we’ll cover what peptides are, how they work, and what they do for our skin.

 

 

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and they play a crucial role in our overall health. When it comes to skincare, peptides can act as messengers, neurotransmitter inhibitors, and carriers to deliver many anti-aging benefits.

 

What do peptides do for the skin?

As we age, collagen production naturally declines (~1% each year after age 30), leading to the formation of fine lines and a loss of firmness and elasticity. Peptides step in by stimulating the synthesis of collagen and elastin, aiding in skin renewal, and contributing to a firmer, more youthful complexion.

Some peptides can relax facial muscles, similar to Botox injections, to prevent wrinkles from forming due to repetitive facial movements.

 

Classes of peptides for skin

Peptides are divided into classes based on their functions as messengers (signals), carriers, or neurotransmitter inhibitors.

 

Signal Peptides

Signal peptides are essential messengers in skincare, communicating with cells to trigger specific responses. These peptides are crucial for stimulating collagen production and promoting skin rejuvenation. Examples include:

• Oligopeptide-1 commonly known as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), functions as a signaling molecule that stimulates cell growth and regeneration. Its benefits for the skin include reducing hyperpigmentation, promoting the synthesis of collagen and elastin, leading to improved skin texture, increased firmness, and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (Epidermal Growth Factor in Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine: Systematic Review)

 

• Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, also known as Matrixyl®, serves as a potent collagen booster, stimulating the skin's natural production of this essential protein. Its benefits include reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, ultimately promoting a firmer and more youthful complexion.

 

• Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, also known as MATRIXYL™ synthe’6™, serves as a powerful peptide that stimulates the synthesis of six major components of the skin's matrix (collagen I, III, IV, fibronectin, hyaluronic acid and laminin 5). Its benefits for the skin encompass improved firmness, reduction of wrinkles and fine lines, and enhanced overall skin structure and resilience.

 

Neurotransmitter Inhibitor Peptides

Neurotransmitter peptides play a unique role in skincare by targeting facial muscles, offering benefits similar to Botox. They contribute to smoother skin and wrinkle reduction. Examples include:

• Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, commonly known as Argireline or Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, functions as a muscle relaxant that inhibits neurotransmitters, reducing muscle contractions and thereby diminishing expression lines. Its benefits for the skin include providing a non-invasive alternative to Botox, leading to smoother and more relaxed facial features.

 

• Pentapeptide-18 is designed to target and inhibit the activity of acetylcholine receptors, resulting in reduced muscle contractions that contribute to the formation of wrinkles. Its benefits for the skin include the softening of expression lines and the promotion of a smoother and more youthful appearance.

 

Carrier Peptides

Carrier peptides assist in the effective delivery of essential elements, ensuring deeper penetration of skincare ingredients into the skin. This enhances the overall efficacy of products.

• Copper Tripeptide-1 is a synthetic peptide composed of three amino acids that are complexed with copper (Cu-GHK). This peptide works both as a cofactor in collagen and elastin synthesis and also decreases the activity of enzymes that break down collagen. This helps maintain and replenish collagen levels in the skin, ultimately leading to improved firmness, elasticity, and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

 

To sum up, peptides are very important for anti-aging skincare. Their diverse functions maintain the skin's structure and combat signs of aging.

By stimulating collagen production, relaxing facial muscles, and facilitating the delivery of essential nutrients, peptides offer a comprehensive approach to skin rejuvenation and renewal.

From signal peptides like Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to neurotransmitter inhibitors such as Acetyl Hexapeptide-3, each peptide class contributes uniquely to promoting a firmer, smoother, and more youthful complexion, making them indispensable ingredients in effective skincare formulations.

 

Restore Dual Peptide Formula

Considering the remarkable benefits peptides offer, it's no wonder we used these potent molecules to create our anti-aging face cream, Restore.

The dual peptide formula consists of Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38. These peptides work together to prevent the formation of new wrinkles and to support the 6 major components of the skin matrix.

 

At FP Skin our skincare products are always formulated with the highest quality organic, natural, and vegan ingredients, each selected for its unique therapeutic properties. Our products are made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, or artificial dyes/fragrances, and are always cruelty-free.

 

 

 

 

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