Each day it feels like there are too many skincare products coming into the market. These products contain ingredients that are very good for your skin and are totally worth it. Peptides are known to be one such ingredient which you don't want to miss when it comes to taking care of your skin. Also known as polypeptides, these naturally occur on the skin. Adding peptides can stimulate your skin to create more collagen and more collagen leads to firmer and younger-looking skin. The body creates collagen peptides naturally but over time as collagen production decreases, it makes the skin look wrinkled and less bright. For this same reason, you need to add peptides to your skincare routine! Lets know more in detail about the benefits of peptides. 

Benefits Of Peptides

The collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed into the skin naturally which is why most people choose to eat collagen-rich food or collagen supplements. Peptides can get absorbed into the skin where they can be used by the body. Here are a few benefits which peptides have for the skin! 

1. Improves Skin Barrier

The skin barrier is the body’s line of defense against bacteria and pollution. This can get damaged due to over-exfoliation, poor sleep or over-exposure to cigarette smoke/passive smoking. Peptides help in building up a stronger skin barrier. 

2. Reduces Wrinkles

Collagen leads to plump skin and lips. When the skin is firm and plump, wrinkles are less visible. Adding peptides to your skincare will ensure that you have younger looking skin and less wrinkled skin. 

3. Leads to more skin elasticity

Not only collagen, peptides also lead to the creation of elastin fibres which is a type of protein required for your skin. These fibres lead to your skin looking firmer and sculpted. 

4. Eases Inflammation

When it comes to skin inflammation and symptoms such as damaged skin and uneven skin tone, peptides take care of the inflammation. They are known to repair damaged skin and even out the skin tone. 

5. Helps In Clearing Breakouts

Some peptides are known to be antimicrobial in nature; this means that they end up killing the bacteria that causes acne. 

How Peptides Work For The Skin

Peptides are known to penetrate into the outer layer of the skin, so they sink deeply into the skin. They are known to be the messengers for other cells. They give out signals to the cells, telling them to produce collagen and elastin. 

How Peptides Work For The Hair

Peptides are known to improve the size of hair follicles. When hair follicles get thicker, hair appears thicker. Copper peptides increase the blood flow to the scalp and this in turn gives the scalp better nourishment. Use the Minimalist 18% Hair Growth Actives Hair Serum which is the best serum for everyday use. This is how peptides work for hair, for the better health of your hair. 

Choosing Peptide Skin Care Products

Since there are too many products to choose from, it gets difficult to know where to start. Here is how you can shop for peptides. 

1. Pick the right form

Choose a peptide serum or a moisturiser that has prolonged contact with your skin such as the Aminu The Azure Copper Peptide Serum | Anti-Ageing which is the most advanced preventive + curative skincare there is. A cleanser won't be effective because it gets rinsed off from the face. Even The Formularx Peptide Ceramide Moisturizer - Barrier Plus is a barrier fortifying, hydrating and calming peptide moisturiser. 

2. Choose other ingredients wisely

Peptides work well with other ingredients such as Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acids. Do try the Neemli Naturals Retinol & Peptide Serum which is a very effective peptide skincare product. It is known to renew your skin’s tone or texture. 

3. Look at the label

Check the label of the skincare product and ensure that peptides are listed close to the top of the ingredient list. They will be listed under the name “palmitoyl”. 

Peptides are the building blocks for the skin and help in producing proteins such as collagen and elastin. Using a serum or a moisturiser that contains peptides actually leads to firmer, younger-looking skin without breakouts. Peptides are considered safe for the skin and are definitely a promising skincare ingredient.

- Harshita Shah