Apr 24

Apr 24 SKINCARE 101 : UBER-MYSTERIOUS PEPTIDES 💪🏼

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Peptides. What in tarnation are peptides?! If you’re like me — that is, someone who pays attention to the unique benefits of skincare ingredients — then you probably know peptides are good for your skin, but you barely understand what they are or why you’d want to apply them to your face. The blog-ready short story is that peptides are made up of amino acids and are essentially fragments of proteins — the building blocks of our skin. We all know proteins are good for us, right? Well, peptides are too!

“Naturally occurring in the skin, peptides plump skin from within and prevent loss of firmness — and thus impede the formation of fine lines and wrinkles on the surface. ”

Dr. Jart Peptidin recently launched in the K-beauty brand's home market.

Peptides are hot, hot, hot right now, the latest trendy skincare ingredient in the news. Drunk Elephant's peptide-powered Protini™ Polypeptide Cream is blowing off the shelves at Sephora, and has featured prominently atop the beauty emporium's skincare rankings since the launch of Protini about six months ago. People rave to me about its unique texture. Though I haven't heard much from those same people about the purported plumping effects of the whopping nine peptides in the formula! Peptides are mysterious little creatures indeed. Unsung K-beauty hero Dr. Jart recently launched a pair of eye-popping peptide serums called Peptidin in its home market. I'm lucky to have been given a chance to try them out before their launch in the US market. They sure are cool looking in my shelfies!

For much of the last year, I've been using two potent peptide serums from Deciem brands — one in the AM, one in the PM. The first, The Ordinary's cult "Buffet" serum was actually the first product I ever used from the breakout company. It's the top-selling product from The Ordinary on Sephora's website and is frequently out of stock. (In fact, it's out of stock as I write this! 🙊) The company recently introduced an amped up version of "Buffet" with the introduction of "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1%. Of course, I grabbed three bottles before it sold out. The second peptide treatment, the one I use at night (religiously, I might add!), is from Deciem's high-science brand NIOD. Not only is CAIS2 or Copper Amino Isolate Serum 2:1 the first product I ever used from NIOD (are you noticing a trend here with the peptide product firsts?!), but it's literally my favorite skincare product, period. And I'm not sure I can answer why that is exactly. I know I love the fresh activation behind the mixing of two separate components — a serum and a powder activator. That always gets me! I also love the electric blue copper-induced color, too. And, the nearly instant absorption.

Here's the thing about peptides. Or maybe peptides and me. You gotta believe. You have to fully understand that not everything that's good for your skin is immediately apparent. Peptides aren't like sunscreen. We all know if we don't use sunscreen before sun exposure, we burn. Burning is bad. Peptides aren't like vitamin C either. We're conditioned to believe from thiiiiiis big that we need vitamin C to be healthy. Meet the Flintstones ring a bell? When we're sick, we drink orange juice. So applying vitamin C to our skin and believing it's not another skincare gimmick isn't so much of a leap. Snail mucin is a gimmick, peptides are not.

Newly introduced "Buffet" + Copper Peptides 1% from Deciem's uber-popular The Ordinary.

Seriously, ya just gotta believe. Peptides are amino acids. Peptides are fragments of proteins. Proteins are the building blocks of skin. With peptides, it's not rocket science. It's not even biotechnology — like Algenist's alguronic acid. Peptides have been proven to firm, strengthen, and plump skin. If you're 40+ that's something you're bound to be focusing on — and maybe even borderline panicking over. Are they a miracle ingredient? No, of course not. Nothing is. Are they the only thing you need to maintain your skin health? No, but there really is no single ingredient that your skin needs to the exclusion of all else. There certainly are mandatory skincare ingredients that skin cannot be without if you're interested in keeping your skin healthy — and as youthful looking as possible. I covered them in a recent blog post entitled, "SKINCARE 101: How to Put Together a Healthy Skincare Regimen". Consider peptides extra credit, part of a balanced skincare diet! If you're comfortable with your regimen but interested in taking your game up a notch, peptides are the answer.

Not convinced? This from the Skincare G.O.A.T. Paula Begoun herself: "Peptides can be a great addition to your skincare routine because they can address so many skin concerns. But as with all anti-aging ingredients, the best approach is to use a cocktail of great ingredients, including antioxidants and skin-restoring substances (plus daily broad-spectrum sun protection) to visibly improve the health and appearance of your skin!"

Nuff said.

Make a potent peptide treatment part of your healthy skincare regimen and enjoy the return of a more youthful bounce.

🖤 SKINCARMA