From serums to creams, peptides are popping up on skincare ingredient lists with increasing frequency. Made naturally in the skin, they are the building blocks for a healthy and resilient complexion.
But how do they work as an ingredient in our skincare? And are they really worth all the hype they’re getting right now?
We ask Daniel Isaacs, chief product officer and founding partner of Medik8, a brand that puts peptides at the cornerstone of many of its formulations, to give us everything we need to know about this buzz ingredient.
What Exactly Are Peptides?
The communicators in the skin, peptides are the dermal equivalent of the motivation coach.
“Peptides are small chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins like collagen and elastin in our skin,” says Isaacs. “Think of them as the skin’s natural communicators, which send signals to encourage regeneration, firmness and resilience. They’re a crucial part of your skin’s support network.”
What Are The Benefits Of Peptides In Skincare?
Thriving, glowing skin has all its components working at full capacity. And that means healthy amounts of peptides encouraging everything else, like collagen and elastin, to get to work producing more.
“Peptides help boost collagen, improve skin elasticity, and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Isaacs. “They also support skin barrier function, keep hydration in and environmental stressors out.”
The result is healthy, plump, bouncy and radiant-looking skin.
Are Peptides Buzz-Worthy?
Peptides have been the foundation of Medik8’s cosmeceutical formulations since its launch in 2009 – do they really deserve all the hype they’re getting now? “Absolutely,” says Isaacs resolutely.
“Peptides are backed by robust scientific research and are highly effective in delivering visible age-defying results,” he says. “Unlike some trends that fade quickly, peptides offer a proven, long term impact on skin’s appearance.”
What Can Peptides Do For Your Skin?
While peptides are shown to work, they need to get to the right place in the skin to be most effective. Enter Medik8’s new Liquid Peptides Advanced MP serum. It has been designed to work both short-term and long-term, which is different to other serums, says Isaacs. “Liquid Peptides Advanced MP is designed to deliver results you can see and feel both immediately and over time.”
Independent clinical studies tested results on participants at both 10 minutes and eight weeks after application and found skin appeared smoother and more hydrated at both stages. There was also a visible reduction in the appearance of dynamic expression lines. “Over eight weeks, it works to dramatically improve the appearance of visible deep-set wrinkles, skin firmness, elasticity and texture,” says Isaacs.
What Are The Latest Advancements In Peptide Skincare?
After 18 months in development, seven independent studies and more than 40 formulation variations, Medik8 has come up with a new technology called MiniProteins. With a dual-action approach, this new tech helps peptides penetrate the skin better to smooth the appearance of expression lines, and to support and boost the structure of the skin. “This technology ensures peptides penetrate deeply into the skin where they’re most effective,” explains Isaacs.
Do You Need Peptides In Your Skincare Routine?
Peptides can help boost the resilience of all skin types, even sensitive skin. And if expression lines and wrinkles are an issue, working peptides into your skincare routine could pay dividends. “For deep-set wrinkles, results from Liquid Peptides Advanced MP become more pronounced with consistent use over eight weeks,” says Isaacs.
Over time, he says, it will help rebuild your skin’s natural strength and vitality. “It visibly reduces the appearance of dynamic expression lines as well as deep-set wrinkles, and enhance overall skin texture.”
What Products Work Well With Peptides?
Peptides marry well with other ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and microbiome-supporting prebiotics (Medik8 has included both these to its new serum for extra hydration and added resilience).
They also work well layered with your other favourite actives. For daytime, Isaacs suggests adding vitamin C as a precursor to the serum to help with both hydration and resilience, while at night peptides work well with retinol to help supercharge your evening routine for added glow in the morning.
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- Your Questions About Vitamin C Skincare, Answered
