You may have been seeing the word “peptides” all over skincare marketing recently, but what even is a peptide, and why are they so important to achieving healthy skin?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this new skin care ingredient! We’ll cover all the science and benefits so you can be aware of what’s going on your skin.
Peptide Definition
Peptides are often considered to be the “building blocks of proteins.” They are short chains of amino acids. They contain 50 amino acids or less, while proteins typically contain more than 50.
They are naturally occurring in the body and have tons of different functions, but we’ll be focusing on the ones that affect your skin.
Peptides stimulate collagen production via collagen peptides which actually work to create both collagen and elastin. Collagen is the most prevalent protein in the body and makes up muscles, cartilage, skin, and more. Elastin is what gives your skin its stretch.
Other forms of peptides, such as antimicrobial peptides, or AMP, are responsible for the production of melanin, the pigment in the hair and skin. Another AMP reduces the collection of melanin in one spot (which results in age spots and dark spots), preventing and getting rid of hyperpigmentation.
Why Peptides are Crucial for Anti-Aging
As we get older, the systems that create collagen and elastin slow down, creating limp, flat, and dry skin that is unable to bounce back from the stresses of one’s everyday environment.
Consequently, adding these missing amino acid chains into your skincare routine boosts collagen and elastin production and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines while plumping up the skin.
Peptide bonds also act as antioxidants that deeply penetrate the skin to repair the skin barrier and prevent damage from free radicals. Peptide products have a similar effect to hyaluronic acids as they lock moisture into the skin for a glowy, hydrated look.
For Acne-Prone Skin
Peptides work to prevent and heal existing breakouts by killing acne-causing bacteria. AMP especially has this effect and may also have an impact on fungal acne.
If you have scarring from previous pimples, these science-backed ingredients can regenerate the skin for a more even complexion by limiting melanin production in those areas.
Why They’re Better Than Other Anti-Aging Ingredients
Peptides, though not fully researched completely, have not been found to be endocrine disruptors, cause sensitivities, or have toxicity. Many anti-aging skincare ingredients do all three of these things, and some are even known to be cancerogenic!
Where to find Peptide Skincare Products
Power Peptide Cream
The NuOrganic Power Peptide Cream contains three different peptides, including Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, all of which help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by boosting collagen production.
Tripeptides, including Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, are made up of three different amino acid chains. One study conducted in China found results to support the claim that the majority of participants noticed firmer, brighter skin and even noted that their pores look smaller.
Tetrapeptides, such as Tetrapeptide-7, are made up of four different amino acid chains as well as palmitic acid. It has been proven to get rid of damaging factors that could cause inflammation, breakouts, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles, thereby targeting the problem at the source rather than masking the symptoms. Palmitic acid works to penetrate the skin to make the short chains of amino acids more mobile and effective.
Tetrapeptide-7 is made up of the amino acids glycine, proline, glutamine, and arginine, all of which are vital to skin health.
This moisturizing cream contains many hydrating ingredients, such as shea butter, jojoba oil, and aloe vera.
Shea butter contains a healthy mixture of antioxidants that reduce the symptoms of aging by protecting the skin from free radicals. It also is extremely hydrating and balances water retention deep within the skin.
Jojoba oil is native to Southern California and Northern Mexico. It’s a great source of Vitamin E, which protects the skin barrier, nurtures the microbiome, and can even ease the effects of rosacea and eczema in some people.
Aloe vera has been used in various cultures for centuries as a hair and skin conditioner. It is an antimicrobial and antifungal that is particularly effective in mature and acne-prone skin types and helps get rid of those pesky, tiny, lifted, clogged pores on your forehead and cheeks. It also reduces the appearance of scars by increasing collagen synthesis.
You’ll also find various antioxidants, such as green tea and gotu kola.
Green tea is a powerful anti-inflammatory that reduces the redness of breakouts, decreases the appearance of puffy under-eyes, and prevents pain associated with acne or overall swelling of the face and neck.
Gotu kola, often referred to as pennywort, is an ingredient that is rarely found in skincare products with very interesting properties. It contains saponins, which protect against UV damage by preventing extracellular matrix degradation. It also contains a wide array of natural antioxidants in the form of flavonoids that prevent environmental pollutants from entering and harming the skin.
Why NuOrganic
At NuOrganic, we strive to support fair-trade suppliers who don’t believe in conventional farming methods. All of our products are GMO-free, and we use organic alternatives whenever possible.
We also pride ourselves on our honest, cruelty-free policy. We’re consistently transparent about everything that goes into our products because we believe an informed customer is a happy one.
Our team of physicians with 20+ years of experience carefully selects the composition for our products. We combine the powers of Mother Nature with science for pure, laboratory-tested skincare products that really work.
Want to learn more about our science-backed products? Check out the NuO blog, where we teach our customers about vital ingredients and new products and provide tips and tricks for skin, hair, and body health.
You can also go straight to our product catalog to find what you need to heal what you’ve got!