WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PEPTIDE SERUM

Published: January 10 , 2023

You may have heard the rumors that peptides assist with anti-aging by brightening, nourishing, and hydrating the skin. Are they really that good? Recent studies believe so. The data shows that frequent use of peptide serum can help prevent signs of aging and the appearance of dark spots.

But what exactly are peptides, and what do they actually do for the skin? Is it worth the price to have peptides in your products? Find out why it just might be worth it to add this product to your skincare routine.

"With the great variety of peptides available in skin care, you can target a concern and find a specific and effective peptide to do the job. Whether you're looking for hydrating and protective benefits with carnosine, reducing puffiness around the eyes with acetyl tetrapeptide 5, or stimulating overall collagen production with palmitoyl tripeptide 5, these ingredients deliver results and have proven efficacy."

Christine Lee, Board Certified Esthetician and

[ comfort zone ] Master Educator

woman applying peptide serum onto her face on a grey background

What Are the Benefits of Peptide Serum

Before we talk about what peptides can do for us, we must first understand what they are. Peptides are a short string of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up the protein in our body. In this case, the protein refers to collagen and elastin.

As we age, our collagen production decreases. We begin to see signs of this when we experience dry hair, brittle nails, and wrinkles. Though peptides occur naturally in the skin, they begin to become less effective over time. Therefore, most peptide products aim to increase the amount of collagen our skin produces or slow the breakdown of it, resulting in younger, firmer-looking skin.

How Do Peptides Work on Your Skin

To put it simply: peptides stimulate healing. As we age, we start losing collagen in our bodies. This results in wrinkles and a lack of skin elasticity. So, in order to help the body, heal, we use peptides to signal healing to the face and skin. Peptides trick your skin into believing that there is a wound, therefore stimulating collagen production in the places you need it most.

Peptides can be found most often in moisturizers and serums. Since they are not proteins themselves, this allows them to easily penetrate and be absorbed by the skin when applied topically. Once applied, the body is able to use them more effectively to give the skin a plumper, firmer appearance. Peptides are most commonly used to combat the appearance of fine lines, aging, dark spots, and crow's feet.

Different Types of Peptides

Since 2000, there has been an increased use of peptides in cosmetic products. But not all peptides are equal. In fact, there are quite a few different peptides and each one is unique in its function. This makes it hard to tell the difference at times. The benefits you receive from peptides will depend on the type you choose. While a certain peptide can support collagen production, another may reduce the breakdown of it. Other peptides can ease inflammation or even stimulate skin regeneration.

While it is not imperative to memorize the names of every peptide, it can be beneficial to know the difference between the most common ones when choosing your skincare products. Even though there are a significant amount of peptides, scientists have been able to condense peptides into specific categories when it comes to skincare. These main categories are signal, carrier, and enzyme inhibitor peptides.

Signal Peptides

Signal peptides are the most common peptides found in skincare products. They help with the production of collagen, elastin, and other structural proteins that lead to plump, firm skin. Signal peptides can help stimulate collagen production or preserve what you already have. Products with signal peptides may list tripeptide, tetrapeptide, or hexapeptide on the ingredients label.

Carrier Peptides

Carrier peptides are the second most common peptide in skincare. They get their name from their role of delivering copper and magnesium throughout the body. Copper has been found to help with collagen production. In turn, this firms up the skin and helps retain elasticity. These peptides are also known to help reduce the appearance of dark spots. Products with carrier peptides may list copper or tripeptide-1 on the ingredients label.

Enzyme Inhibitor Peptides

As the name implies, enzyme inhibitor peptides are used to prevent the breakdown of collagen. They interfere with the chemicals related to the aging process. As a result, the aging process slows, and the skin keeps its elasticity for longer. Products with enzyme inhibitor peptides may list soybean or rice peptides on the ingredients label.

woman applying serum with peptides on her skin on a blue background

Peptides Vs Retinol

Peptides and retinol have similar qualities. They both offer benefits for preventative aging and can strengthen the skin barrier. Retinol is known for its strength but can cause dry skin. Due to its strength, mixing retinol with other products may cause an adverse reaction. Depending on your skin type, you may opt for using peptides.

Peptides are less drying and may be better for sensitive and dry skin. Peptides also work well with other products, especially vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. If you are already using retinol and experiencing the effects of anti-aging, then there may not be a need to add peptides. Unlike peptides, retinol has been tested for years and has proven successful in fighting the effects of aging.

What Peptides Products Should You Use

When looking for peptide products, the key is to find one that won’t be washed off easily. Products like serums, face creams, and eye creams are good to look for as they stay locked on the skin. Night creams are great for combating dryness and fine lines. A peptide booster is a lightweight formula that can be combined with other serums, like niacinamide, or your favorite moisturizer.

It is also recommended to find products with niacinamide, vitamin C, and antioxidants (often called a peptide complex,) which will help with exfoliating and moisture. If you are already using retinol and experiencing anti-aging effects, then there may not be a need to add peptides. Once you find a peptide product that works for you, it is recommended to use twice a day — once in the morning and at night — in addition to your skincare routine. But as always, if you are not sure what is best for your skin, it is always recommended that you see a dermatologist.

Peptides Are Really Effective

So, the rumors are true – peptides really are effective. No matter what type of peptide you add to your skincare routine, you are sure to reap the benefits of hydrated skin and anti-aging effects. If you are ready to take the next step with your skincare routine, [ comfort zone ] has all the anti-aging products you need from eye creams to serums, to hydrating moisturizers.