“Peptides are ‘chains’ of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins”, explains skincare education expert Marie Therese Byrne, “they occur naturally in our bodies but deplete as we age. Using a moisturiser with peptides has many benefits, including improving skin elasticity, increasing collagen production, and soothing skin inflammation.”
Peptides in skincare work towards cellular regeneration, but in a different way to retinol. Retinol is a stronger ingredient, but if you’re looking for hydration, peptides are the better route. When applied topically, peptides act like little messengers, telling skin cells to build collagen and elastin and maintain hydration.
In short, they are small but powerful amino acids that tell your skin to produce the firming and hydrating proteins that it needs.
Essentially, peptides are suitable for all skin types, making them a must-have ingredient for anyone looking for additional hydration and anti-aging benefits in their skincare.
They also benefit rosacea and inflammation by reversing textural damage and uneven pigmentation, leading to younger, calmer looking skin and fewer breakouts.
Choosing a daily moisturiser that includes peptides means that your skin gets consistent help in protecting itself against the signs of ageing.
Peptides are some of the most innovative ingredients out there for improving the firmness, hydration, and elasticity of the skin. And they are a powerhouse when combined with other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
According to Pestle & Mortar’s skin education expert Marie Therese Byrne, “My best recommendation for anyone who wants to support their skin as it ages is to combine a peptide-rich daily moisturiser like Hydrate with a hyaluronic serum. These two work together like a dream to bolster collagen and maintain hydration.”
Many modern face creams harness polypeptide technology to stimulate skin cells so they produce new and stable collagen. With a peptide-enriched moisturiser, you’ll notice these visible skin benefits over time:
Basically, our skin loses collagen year-on-year. When collagen breaks down, it forms peptides which send a signal to tell our skin cells to make some more. As we age, collagen production decreases, causing wrinkles, dehydration, discoloration, loss of suppleness, and a lacklustre complexion. Using products with peptides effectively ‘tricks’ our skin into thinking it has recently lost collagen and must make some more.