As the U.S. anti-aging market creeps toward $271 billion, new products and treatments continue to flood store shelves. This leaves many people wondering: Which anti-aging products are right for me? Find out more with the ultimate guide to anti-aging peptides.
Newer and more expensive doesn't necessarily equal better in the anti-aging world. Instead, you want to find something with a research-backed ability to beautify the skin. That's where anti-aging peptides come in.
Anti-aging peptides harness the natural processes of your body to get youthful-looking results. But what are they, how do they work, and how can you choose the right one for you? This comprehensive guide has the answers -- read on to learn what anti-aging peptides can do for your skin this year.
What Are Anti-Aging Peptides?
Peptides are made up of amino acids, which you might remember from grade-school science class.
Amino acids are known as the "building blocks" of proteins in the body. Peptides are much like proteins but are made up of a smaller amount of amino acids. You can think of peptides as being "mini" versions of proteins.
The loss of proteins like collagen in the body creates the visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and sagging. Without enough of these proteins, you may also see dry hair and weak nails.
Peptides help your body rebuild this natural protein source, restoring elasticity and firmness to the skin and strength to the hair and nails.
Of course, peptides do much more for the body than beautify the skin. Peptides also play vital roles in your body's overall functioning. But if aging is your specific skincare concern, peptides hold the answer.
Why You Should Be Using Anti-Aging Peptides
With this definition in mind, let's take a closer look at the benefits of using peptides for skincare.
Peptides work by giving your body the signal to start making more collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in your body, and it's also responsible for keeping skin looking youthful and vibrant. But as you age, your body's natural collagen production goes down.
Anti-aging peptides boost that production back up to keep the skin firm, hydrated, and smooth. Peptides also have natural anti-inflammatory properties, which can help clear up other skin issues unrelated to aging.
Peptides work for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone. If you're tired of experimenting with anti-aging products that have unpleasant side effects, peptides may be just what you're looking for.
From serums to moisturizers to eye treatments, there are many different ways to infuse your skincare routine with peptides that naturally beautify your skin.
How Do Peptides for Skin Work?
When you apply a topical peptide treatment to your skin, your body doesn't really absorb the peptides from that treatment. Instead, these anti-aging peptides spark a complex and fascinating natural process in your body.
Your body recognizes the added peptides on the skin's surface and treats them as a signal to take action. Basically, you're tricking your body into "regenerating" that area, so it sends more collagen right where you need it.
That's one reason anti-aging peptides are such an ideal product. They allow you to focus anti-aging treatment in exactly the areas you need it most by convincing your body to send more collagen to those targeted places. Your body sees these topical peptides as evidence of an injury and sets about "rejuvenating" that area with a collagen boost that will actively beautify the skin.
That's why topical products are the best way to add peptides to your beauty routine. However, it is important to make sure your products include high-quality ingredients that can successfully penetrate your skin's barrier.
What Are the Best Skin Care Peptides to Use?
With that in mind, not all peptides are created equal. These are the top peptides for skincare that you should start with.
Copper Peptides
Like all peptides, copper peptides help boost collagen production. However, copper peptides also have an added benefit: they help your skin hang onto the collagen it produces longer.
Interestingly, copper peptides also work for regenerating and soothing inflammation. While using peptides for skincare is a different game than using them in the medical field, these properties are added to just how powerful peptides can be.
Hexapeptides
Different peptides have slightly different effects, and hexapeptides are sometimes called "the Botox of peptides." That's because they actually have a relaxing effect on the muscles of your face, slowing down wrinkle formation with no injections needed.
Tetrapeptides
Tetrapeptides may help boost hyaluronic acid production, as well as collagen production. In fact, they even appear to fight against the negative effects of UV photoaging on your skin.
Matrixyl
Matrixyl is one of the best-known peptides, and for a good reason. Studies have shown that this peptide can actually infuse the skin with twice as much collagen as before.
The Best Anti-Aging Peptides for Younger-Looking Skin in 2023
So, what are the best peptides for you?
Each person's skincare needs are different, which means there's no one-size-fits-all peptide treatment. Instead, the latest trend in peptide products is customization.
With peptide serum boosters, you can infuse any existing moisturizer or serum with a dose of the peptides and supplementary ingredients that work best for you.
Trying to find a single product that meets all of your skincare and peptide needs can prove challenging. With these boosters, you can transform any product into your perfect, unique peptide solution. Many boosters can also be combined with other peptide products for even more impressive results.
The Top 5 Anti-Aging Peptides
-
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 (Argireline): Argireline is a peptide known for its ability to temporarily relax facial muscles, similar to the action of Botox. It targets expression lines, such as crow's feet and forehead wrinkles, helping to soften their appearance. Argireline is commonly found in products targeting dynamic wrinkles.
-
Copper Peptides: Copper peptides have antioxidant and collagen-boosting properties. They help promote skin regeneration and can improve the overall appearance of the skin, including firmness, texture, and elasticity. Copper peptides are often used in serums and creams targeting aging skin.
-
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 (Matrixyl 3000): Matrixyl 3000 is a combination of peptides that work synergistically to support collagen production and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It can help improve skin tone and texture, making it a popular ingredient in anti-aging formulations.
-
Progeline: A peptide that has gained attention in the skincare industry for its potential firming and anti-aging benefits. It works by targeting the Progerin protein, which is associated with the aging process and contributes to loss of firmness and elasticity in the skin. It not only targets the visible signs of aging but also addresses the underlying processes that lead to skin laxity. Progeline's potential to enhance skin firmness can contribute to a more youthful appearance and a smoother complexion. By promoting collagen production and minimizing the appearance of sagging.
-
Syn-Ake: a smoothing peptide inspired by snake venom, is known for its potential to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By temporarily inhibiting muscle contractions, syn-ake can provide a smoothing effect on the skin, resulting in a more youthful and relaxed appearance.
Peptides Used in Skin Care
Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
Acetyl hexapeptide-1 contains the amino acids alanine, arginine, histidine, leucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-2 for skin firmness.
Acetyl hexapeptide-37 contains amino acids alanine, proline, serine, and glycine.
Acetyl hexapeptide-8 has water-binding properties.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-30 helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Acetyl Hexapeptide-51 helps delay senescence, and visibly helps your skin look younger.
Acetyl octapeptide-3 a chain of amino acids, including aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, and methionine.
Acetyl tetrapeptide-5 provides calming, smoothing, hydrating, and firmness-enhancing benefits.
Acetyl tetrapeptide-9 restores the skin's natural support.
Acetyl tetrapeptide-11 for healthier-looking skin.Azelaoyl bis-dipeptide-10
Caprooyl tetrapeptide-3
Dipeptide-2
Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
Hexanoyl dipeptide-3 norleucine acetate
Hexapeptide-11
Myristoyl hexapeptide-16 peptide for eyelash and eyebrow health.
Myristoyl pentapeptide-17 increase eyelash health.
Myristoyl tripeptide-31 is made of myristic acid with tripeptide-31 to regenerate the skin’s appearance.
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyloyl Hydroxythreonine
Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
Palmitoyl dipeptide-10 combination of palmitic acid and dipeptide-10 to increase elasticity.
Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12
Palmitoyl oligopeptide
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, the original peptide contained in Matrixyl.
Palmitoyl proline is palmitic acid combined with proline.
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 one of the peptides in Matrixyl 3000.
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 visibly improves complexions for younger-looking skin.
Palmitoyl tripeptide-38
Palmitoyl tripeptide-5 helps skin firmness.
Palmitoyl tripeptide-8
Pentapeptide-18
Pentapeptide-59
Tetrapeptide-30
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Tripeptide-1 GHK (glycine, histidine, lysine) signal peptide that restores and regenerates.
Tripeptide-29 improves the skin's texture.
Tripeptide-32
Common Names of Peptides
- Antarcticine
- Adeline® Tripeptide-1
- Antarcticine
- Argireline Acetyl hexapeptide-8>
- Copper Peptide (GHK) Tripeptide-1
- Epidermal Growth Factor
- Eyelash Peptide Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
- Eyeseryl Acetyl Tetrapeptide-5
- Inyline Acetyl Hexapeptide-30
- Juveleven Acetyl Hexapeptide-51
- Leuphasyl Pentapeptide-18
- Matrixyl Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
- Matrixyl 1999
- Matrixyl 3000 Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7
- MATRIXYL Synthe’6 Palmitoyl tripeptide-38
- Melanostatine 5 Nonapeptide-1
- Peptamide 6 Hexapeptide-11
- Progeline Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
- Relistase Acetylarginyltryptophyl Diphenylglycine
- Snap 8 Acetyl Hexapeptide-3
- Syn-Ake Dipeptide Diaminobutyroyl Benzylamide Diacetate
- Syn-Coll Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5
- Syn-Hycan
- Syn-Tacks Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminobutyroyl Hydroxythreonine and Palmitoyl Dipeptide-5 Diaminohydroxybutyrate
- Uplevity Acetyl Hexapeptide-2
Ready to Choose Your Anti-Aging Peptides?
In the world of anti-aging skincare, pseudoscience and clever marketing abound. That's why anti-aging peptides stand out: unlike many questionable anti-aging products, they offer real, research-supported results that naturally beautify skin.
To find the best peptide products for you, it's helpful to consult with your dermatologist. You can then start to shop for safe, effective peptide products from a trusted retailer and experiment until you find the perfect solution for your skin.
Not sure where to shop? Our DIY Serum Booster collection lets you use peptides with confidence. Learn more about anti-aging peptides and see why our products are the best on the market.