We are seeing a proliferation of skincare products containing peptides on the market. However, what peptides are and how they benefit our skin are not always clear. In this issue of Skin Knowledge, we hope to provide you with some useful knowledge about this exciting skincare ingredient!

What are peptides?

Peptides have been studied for more than 50 years and are the most effective ingredients in skin care products. Only recently have scientists been able to synthesize peptides in laboratories without the negative effects such as allergies and infections that are associated with extracting peptides from living organisms. This breakthrough in peptide synthesis has revolutionized the skincare industry.

Peptides are short polymers formed from the linking of amino acids, the building block of protein that are naturally found in our skin. Proteins provide structure in cell membrane and act as messengers to transmit neural signals between skin layers. Simply put, peptides regulate inter-cellular communication. By using skin care products that contain certain peptides they are either signalling your skin to do more of the things that benefit your skin or less of the things that damage it.