Peptides have been a buzzword in the skincare industry for some time, but they’re an often misunderstood tool and beauty lovers struggle to fully understand what they are or how they can benefit the skin. These powerful ingredients have the potential to significantly improve skin health, but it's crucial to understand how they work in order to use them effectively in your routine. In simple terms, peptides are like small building blocks that make up larger proteins in your skin.
When peptides are applied topically, they can send signals to skin cells that trigger beneficial processes, like boosting collagen production or reducing inflammation. "Peptides are short strands of 2-100 amino acids — essentially fragments of proteins — which can act as cell signalers, changing cellular behaviour by influencing gene expression," says Dr Lauren Jamieson, MBChB MRCGP, a medical aesthetic doctor with 15 years of experience. Amino acids act as the building blocks of (many essential) proteins, and peptides string them together to target specific cell processes that affect the skin.
"This stimulates pathways to treat the source of ageing and other problems in the skin, not just the symptoms, meaning they are a powerful tool for anti-ageing," Dr Jamieson explains. Experts explain that peptides can perform various functions in skincare, from boosting collagen production to reducing inflammation and improving skin barrier function. Some peptides, like copper peptides, act as antioxidant.