Have you been paying attention to skincare fads recently? If so, you’ve probably come across a strange little term – polypeptides (or just peptides). Today we’ll be taking a look at what peptides are, why skincare companies use peptides for skin tightening, and answer a couple of questions about polypeptides: what are the best polypeptides for skin and what do polypeptides do?
What Are Polypeptides?
Polypeptides, sometimes referred to as just peptides, are a type of manufactured chemical that mimics the body’s natural amino acids (proteins). Some of the most popular polypeptides in the skincare sector mimic collagen and elastin to increase the natural production of these important skin components.
It’s important to keep in mind that “peptides” can be a marketing term and the term itself doesn’t just refer to components of skincare products meant to stimulate collagen and elastin production. There are many different kinds of peptides that don’t have any effect on the skin whatsoever.
What Do Polypeptides Do?
Here at Rejuvaskin, we use polypeptides and peptides for skin tightening, through a process related to stimulating collagen and elastin production. Ceramides often do the same thing in your skincare products, making them a great combination for firming creams and stretch mark creams. We use the polypeptide Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 in our Advanced Firming Cream and our Scar Esthetique Silicone Scar Cream, along with ceramides for maximum effectiveness.
How Do Polypeptides Actually Work?
These little molecules called “polypeptides” or “peptides” are specially designed to penetrate the outer layer of skin. As they soak into the inner layers of your skin, they bind with receptors to send messages to the other cells nearby. These messages, when the correct polypeptides are used, can stimulate your cells to produce more elastin and collagen, even when your skin isn’t producing these components anymore.
What Are the Benefits of Polypeptides?
In general, peptides (and skincare products with peptides in them) that stimulate collagen and elastin production can improve your skin barrier, make your skin more elastic, clear breakouts, reduce inflammation, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. These benefits are also why we include peptides in our Stretch Mark Cream.
What Are The Best Polypeptides For Skin?
The best polypeptides for skin are those that are naturally occurring! This means that the manufactured polypeptides that act like our skin’s natural amino acids are going to be the most efficient and effective additives for skincare ingredients. You’ll want to keep an eye out for “peptides,” “polypeptides,” and “palmitoyl” on your skincare product labels. For example, the polypeptide we use is called Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for other ingredients that help peptides do their job better: vitamin C, antioxidants, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. Do not use polypeptide firming creams that also contain alpha hydroxy acid, also known as AHA; this will decrease the effectiveness of your firming cream.
Looking For A Firming Cream With Peptides?
Try out polypeptides for yourself! Our Advanced Firming Cream is loaded with an abundance of skin-nourishing ingredients– like polypeptides & ceramides, which are known for going hand– to help improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.
Learn More >> What Is A Firming Cream: The Ins and Outs